LAS CRUCES, NM - Filtravate, an ultrafiltration membrane company, announced today that it has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for $256,000. The grant will be used to conduct research and development work on Filtravate’s product, a manufacturing platform for the production of ultrafiltration membranes that provide significant anti-fouling and improved flux characteristics. Anti-fouling provides for longer membrane life and lower costs. Improved flux allows a higher processing rate.
By using an innovative fabrication method, Filtravate’s membranes have controlled and tunable pore size, even pore distribution, and functionalized surfaces and have large market applications in bioprocessing and biopharmaceutical industries. They are particularly advantageous for the processing of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) which is a rapidly growing area with a 14.1% compound annual growth rate.
“Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are the fastest growing class of new therapeutic molecules,” said Dr. Yun Li, CEO of Filtravate. “However, the current purification processes cause limitations in the production capacity and increased costs. Filtravate’s innovative ultrafiltration membrane is poised to address these challenges. We are pleased to receive the grant to develop a specific membrane for mAb processing application.”
About Filtravate:
Filtravate, Inc. is a membrane technology company founded in 2020 to develop and commercialize ultrafiltration membranes for applications in the bioprocessing and biopharmaceutical industries. Based on patent-pending technology exclusively licensed from New Mexico State University. Filtravate is a VIC Technology Venture Development™ portfolio company. For more information, please visit filtravate.com
About the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Programs:
The NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. In addition, startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $1.5 million in non-dilutive funds to support research and development, helping de-risk technology for commercial success. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $7.8 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.