Inherent Biosciences Wins $256K NSF Grant to predict COVID-19 infection severity and treatment response

September 11, 2020

Inherent Biosciences, a biotechnology company headquartered in Salt Lake City has announced a $255,959 award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study epigenetic biomarkers to predict patient response to COVID-19. The SBIR Phase I project aims to develop an onsite, clinical test to screen incoming patients potentially infected with COVID-19. The test would predict disease severity and treatment response so that healthcare workers can more accurately triage patients and prioritize hospital resources and personnel.

The development of a DNA methylation-based test to predict the severity of COVID-19 infection has tremendous potential for managing current and future pandemics.

“NSF is proud to support the technology of the future…by funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets…,” said Andrea Belz, Division Director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF.

Andy Olson, co-founder and CEO of Inherent Biosciences remarked, “We’re thrilled to announce this award, which will enable us to expand our discovery and commercialization pipeline into the area of infectious disease…”

“This NSF funding is critical for companies, such as Inherent Biosciences, that are working to commercialize innovative tools to fight COVID-19 and bring new solutions to tomorrow’s healthcare challenges,” said Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah.