The ASCEND2.0 (I-RED West) program has officially launched its 2024 Call for Proposals, inviting innovators to submit pilot projects aimed at advancing new biomedical technologies with significant commercial potential. ASCEND2.0 is dedicated to bridging the gap between NIH-funded research and real-world patient outcomes by equipping biomedical entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and training needed to succeed in the competitive healthcare market.

The SBIR Contracts Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (PHS-2025-1) has been released.

There are several new opportunities for funding available with applications due in the fourth quarter of 2024 including those from NIH, NINDs and NIDA.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — T-Neuro Pharma, a leading biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative diagnostics and therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, announced the publication of a landmark research article in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences(PNAS), a peer-reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences. The article, “Antigen-Specific Age-Related Memory CD8 T Cells Induce and Track Alzheimer’s-Like Neurodegeneration,” details a significant breakthrough in understanding the early events and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Our Weekly Update from DRCB/NIGMS highlights important NIH funding opportunities and policy announcements for researchers, students, and staff involved in our ASCEND2.0 grant.

As part of our ASCEND2.0 initiative to Wyoming, an I-RED state, we are excited to announce that two pilot project grants have been awarded and approved for the University of Wyoming. These innovative research projects are now commencing, marking a significant step forward in their respective fields.

Building on the success of UNLV's first-ever Innovation Day, we are excited to share the visionary leadership driving this initiative forward. Dr. Kate Zhong and Dr. Jeffrey Cummings have been instrumental in bringing this event to life and have ambitious plans to make it an annual tradition.

We were thrilled to have helped organize and fund the pitch competition at UNLV's first-ever Innovation Day, supported by our ASCEND2.0 NIH grant. The event showcased the UNLV community's innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit, attracting around 70 enthusiastic attendees.

ASCEND2.0 has officially opened its call for proposals to support the advancement of new biomedical innovations with significant potential to improve quality of life and save lives.

We are thrilled to be part of UNLV Innovation Day 2024, a special event showcasing groundbreaking research and promoting entrepreneurship in brain health. On May 13th, at UNLV's vibrant campus in Las Vegas, this event promises to inspire and empower the next generation of innovators.

The University of Wyoming and JP Morgan are hosting the "Navigating the Startup Ecosystem Symposium" on April 25th, 2024, at the University of Wyoming campus.

John Chavez, Managing Director at the New Mexico Start-Up Factory and Principal Investigator for the ASCEND2.0 grant,  spoke at the New Mexico State University's (NMSU) College of Business as part of their "Executive Speaker Series."

As part of our collaboration with the University of Montana for ASCEND2.0, we are excited to engage in Mentoring Pilot Projects for researchers selected through the university's Center for Translational Medicine (CTM) Research program. The University of Montana's CTM program is at the forefront of bridging the gap between academic research and practical applications, facilitating the transformation of innovative ideas into tangible solutions. The CTM houses two transformative technologies that we believe will revolutionize healthcare.

At the New Mexico Start-Up Factory, we are thrilled to attend and exhibit at the 2024 AUTM (Association of University Technology Managers) Annual Meeting in San Diego.

Our ASCEND2.0 Grant Principal Investigators – John Chavez, Eric Prossnitz, and Rob DelCampo – are excited to attend the REACH (Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs) Annual Meeting on January 30-31, 2024, in Washington, DC.