Exicure, Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: AuraSense Therapeutics is developing oligonucleotide-modified gold nanoparticles called Sp

Exicure, Inc. — SBIR Phase II award from Department of Defense.

Amount
$986,621
Agency
Department of Defense · Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Program / Phase
SBIR · Phase II
Solicitation
2012.1
NAICS
Place of performance
IL
Period
2013-08-01 → 2015-07-31

Description

AuraSense Therapeutics is developing oligonucleotide-modified gold nanoparticles called Spherical Nucleic Acid (SNA) constructs, which are a powerful new way of regulating cellular gene expression. AuraSense Therapeutics will use SNAs as genetically programmable antimicrobial agents in a manner to provide a rapid and effective way to develop next-generation antibacterial agents. The outcome of this work will be a new approach to generating bactericides: a genetically programmable rapidly adaptable nanoparticle therapeutic (RANT). The strategy is designed to be rapidly re-programmed to counter microbial threats, both natural and engineered.