SFC Fluidics, Inc. Receives SBIR Phase I Funding for Development of an Implantable Drug Delivery Device
Fayetteville, Ark. (PRWEB) October 15, 2015 -- SFC Fluidics® is very pleased to announce it has received Phase I Small Business Innovation Research funding from the National Institutes of Health for the development of an implantable, wirelessly controlled, rapid dosing drug delivery system for small animal research. The Min-ePumpTM implantable drug delivery pump will allow real-time, remote controlled delivery of drugs and therapeutics to rat models for addiction and behavior research studies. Using the Min-ePumpTM, the effects of drugs on behavior can be studied in rats since they won’t be tethered to a stationary pump. Because the Min-ePumpTM can be wirelessly controlled, the rats will be able to self-administer controlled doses of a drug or dosing could be based on feedback from a sensor.
Key research areas that can benefit from untethered animal behavior models include substance abuse, mood disorders, schizophrenia, choice behavior, sleep behavior, stimulus response, relapse, anxiety, avoidance, PTSD, chronic stress, aggressive behavior, cognition, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, aging disorders and management of chronic pain in humans and veterinary medicine in animals. SFC Fluidics’ miniaturized patch pump system will be implanted and tested in rats as a proof-of-concept. The project will conclude with the submission of a request for Phase II funding for advanced development of the Min-ePumpTM system and detailed efficacy and behavior studies. Dr. Forrest Payne, Principal Investigator on the project says, “We are excited about broadening the application of our miniaturized patch pump system for research that can potentially help millions of people around the world who are struggling with social, mood and behavior disorders.”
SFC Fluidics, Inc. has a mission to advance healthcare and improve quality of life through our enabling microfluidic technologies. The company’s vision is to become a recognized global leader in the drug delivery and health monitoring markets where our unique product lines improve lifestyle and affordability. SFC Fluidics® is a VIC Technology Venture Development™ portfolio company.
Research reported in this release was supported by The National Institute of Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under grant number [1R43DA041173-01]. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Ashley Shemain, VP of Marketing & Business Development, SFC Fluidics, Inc., http://www.sfc-fluidics.com/, (479) 527-6810, [email protected]
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