A startup linked to Purdue University that is developing a state-of-the-art treatment for life-threatening lung conditions has won a $ 256,000 Level I Small Business Award from the National Science Foundation.
Spirrow Therapeutics offers assistance to patients with severe respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, by restoring lung function with a nanopolymer surfactant that can be administered through the trachea as a fast-acting liquid or preemptive aerosol. The start-up team is also looking at using the technology to help those infected with COVID-19.
We want to offer new hope to these patients with ARDS. This is an exciting time as our work is closely linked to the research being conducted around the world to address COVID-19. “
Rich Ganz, President, Spirrow Therapeutics
Infectious viral infections such as COVID-19 are a common cause of major seizures, which can be ARDS.
ARDS can be caused by pneumonia, septic shock, trauma, respiratory chemicals or other trauma. There are more than 200,000 cases in the United States each year of ARDS. About 40% of people with ARDS die, and there are currently few treatment options.
Spirrow Therapeutics was co-founded by You-Yeon Won, a professor of chemical engineering at Purdue College of Engineering, and his alumni Davis Arick and Kyle Kim. Initially interested in neonatal lung function, the team turned their attention to ARDS after discovering a greater need there.
The co-founders worked with Purdue Furnace, an innovation and commercialization center based in the Consortium Center for Innovation and Collaboration in the Purdue Discovery Park District, adjacent to the Purdue campus.