Eclipse Regenesis, developer of the first restorative therapy to address Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS), has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant of $256,000 to develop a minimally-invasive version of its Eclipse XL1 System™ for pediatric and adult patients with Short Bowel Syndrome.
Short Bowel Syndrome is a devastating condition where the small intestine is too short to absorb sufficient nutrients to sustain a patient. Current chronic therapies include intravenous nutrition, medication and intestinal surgery, which have low success rates and high five-year costs of up to $1.6 million per patient. Preclinical studies have shown that the Eclipse XL1 System promotes a process known as distraction enterogenesis in a treatment that is designed to produce new, fully functional intestine, as a way to restore natural nutrient absorption. The Eclipse XL1’s unique mechanism of action has been published in more than 20 peer reviewed publications.
“We are gratified that the National Science Foundation has recognized our novel concept that has the potential to improve and extend the lives of children and adults who are suffering with SBS,” said Eclipse Regenesis CEO Andre Bessette. “We look forward to utilizing the funds to develop a less invasive, endoscopic system that will be more accessible and improve upon the patient experience.”
“NSF is proud to support the technology of the future by thinking beyond incremental developments and funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering,” said Andrea Belz, Division Director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. “With the support of our research funds, any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science into meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs.”
Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $256,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II grant (up to $1,000,000). All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, undergo a rigorous merit-based review process. To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/
More About Short Bowel Syndrome
Short Bowel Syndrome results from the surgical removal of a large portion of the small intestine due to a congenital or acquired defect. It is a devastating condition where patients struggle to absorb life-sustaining nutrients from their diet. Common causes in pediatrics are necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and birth defects such as gastroschisis, volvulus, Hirschsprung’s disease, intestinal atresia, and other congenital defects. The cost of care for each patient is more than $1.6 million over five years and costs to the U.S. healthcare system are upwards of $3 billion each year.
About the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Programs
America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $1.75 million to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $8.1 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.
About Eclipse Regenesis
Eclipse Regenesis, Inc. is a development-stage medical device company focused on harnessing the body’s own tissue regeneration capabilities to treat important diseases. Its flagship product, the Eclipse XL1 System, utilizes distraction enterogenesis in a treatment designed to mechanically stimulate the body to produce new, fully-functional intestinal tissue to address Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS). With the support of more than 15 years of scientific research and the participation of world renowned SBS thought leaders, the Eclipse Regenesis team is passionate about pioneering a restorative therapy for a devastating condition that has no cure today. The Eclipse XL-1 system is under development and not available for clinical use at this time.