The Flinn Foundation Seed Grants to Promote Translational Research program has awarded a combined $1 million to 10 Arizona research teams with the potential to turn their findings into viable products and treatments that impact patients.
The program’s 10th cohort was selected in an open competitive process among 82 proposals from 13 universities, health systems, and research institutes — an increase from last year’s 73 applications.
The Arizona-based researchers are developing medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, and technology to treat a number of conditions, including brain tumors, migraines, chronic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, pregnancy, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, and colorectal cancer.
Seven of the selected projects are being led by the University of Arizona and three by Arizona State University. The projects are in partnership with Mayo Clinic, Banner Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Midwestern University, bioscience startups, venture capital firms, and more.
The Flinn Foundation is funding nine of the $100,000 seed grants, while the Tom and Catherine Culley Charitable Trust is contributing $100,000 to support the proposal for an early detection test of specific (head and neck) oropharyngeal cancers.
Mary O’Reilly, Flinn Foundation vice president, bioscience research programs, said the sophistication of commercialization strategy among the Arizona research community advances year-over-year.
“This program continues to showcase the strength and diversity of the bioscience ecosystem in Arizona,” O’Reilly said. “The 82 proposals reflect the breadth of expertise and the expanding number of institutions creating innovative ways to deliver better health care to Arizonans and beyond.”
To be eligible for the program, research projects must be directed by investigators from Arizona nonprofit academic- or medical-research institutions or health systems and address significant clinical needs in the areas of diagnostics, medical devices, therapeutics, precision medicine, and health-care delivery.
The Flinn Foundation has awarded 83 seed grants totaling about $9.5 million since 2013.
The project applications were reviewed and recommended by 28 experts in scientific knowledge, clinical expertise, and technology transfer. In addition to the funding, the program invites project leaders for quarterly check-ins and workshops, facilitates connections with research and industry experts, and provides a membership on Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee during the 18-month grant period.
After the grant period, the Flinn Foundation provides the cohort’s most promising projects with an additional $100,000 in follow-on funding after a pitch event before an independent review panel.
Three projects that received their initial grant in 2023 qualified for $100,000 each in follow-on funding over the next year.
The grants were awarded to Arizona State for the development of a rapid valley fever test; University of Arizona with Aspiro Therapeutics to develop a therapy to treat obstructive lung diseases such as COPD; and to University of Arizona to further develop a real-time transcranial acoustoelectric brain imaging (tABI) system.
2025 Seed Grants
Arizona State University with Mayo Clinic, Xcellerant Ventures: Ammolite: A Novel White Light LED Technology with Optimized Spectrum to Reduce Light Discomfort and Improve Migraine Symptoms
The team has developed Ammolite to deliver migraine symptom-improving green light via natural white light to improve brain fatigue and discomfort. Migraines affect 12% of the global population and photophobia (light sensitivity) is a common symptom with blue and cyan light particularly intensifying headaches and discomfort. While green light can decrease pain intensity and headache days, prolonged exposure to colored light may cause brain fatigue and visual discomfort. Principal Investigator: Nina Sharp, Ph.D.
Arizona State University with Exodigm Biosciences: Live-Cell RNA Detection Probes for Cell Sorting and Therapeutic Applications
A large challenge in the growing cell and gene therapy market is the identification and selection of specific cells of interest. The team has developed a method of more efficiently and accurately sorting cells based on their RNA markers with minimal cell damage. This project is developing new probes to identify and isolate cells based on their internal markers. The probes can be integrated into existing workflows, reducing costs and time for both biomedical research and clinical therapies. Principal Investigator: Rizal F. Hariadi, Ph.D.
Arizona State University with Banner Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix: NuTag: Fast and Precise Intraoperative Brain Tumor Diagnosis
NuTag is a device for quick and accurate analysis of brain tissue during brain tumor surgery. NuTag uses a probe to stain tissue using DNA nanostructures which can be detected by an optical device during surgery. In brain tumor surgery, one of the most important unmet clinical needs is the rapid and accurate analysis of tissue to guide decision-making related to diagnosis and treatment. Traditional methods are either fast but not specific (cannot specify tumor types) or specific but not fast. The project also will use a deep learning model to provide automated interpretation. Principal Investigator: Hao Yan, Ph.D.
University of Arizona with AdaptiveSN: Coupling AI to Green Light Therapy: Developing an Easy-to-use and Portable Device to Treat Chronic Pain Using Photoneuromodulation with Personalized Medicine
The team has developed a technology that uses green light-emitting diode (GLED) technology to provide a non-pharmacological, non-opioid pain treatment solution. The technology changes the function of the parts of the brain that are involved in recognizing pain through either a panel of green lights or through green light-emitting eyewear. There is a clinical need to innovate pain management while reducing use of opioids. Current solutions include both non-pharmacological treatments, such as physical therapy and acupuncture, and pharmacological treatments, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, but these treatments have known barriers. By offering a non-drug-based treatment option, the team hopes to reduce the risk of opioid addiction and improve chronic pain care. Principal Investigator: Laurent Martin, Ph.D.
University of Arizona with K1C Consulting: Development of a Wearable Carpal Arch Space Augmentation Device to Treat CTS
The team has developed a device that applies pressure to the wrist to relieve compression for carpal tunnel syndrome, (CTS). CTS is a commonly diagnosed hand neuropathy due to the compression of nerves within a tube located in the wrist. It affects approximately 4% of the U.S. population, imposing an immense burden on the healthcare system and on patients’ quality of life. With the hope of providing effective and safe non-surgical treatment, researchers propose this device to use a hard shell to stabilize the wrist, with a programmable unit that compresses the wrist to expand the tunnel and decompress the nerves. Principal Investigator: Zong-Ming Li, Ph.D.
University of Arizona with Precision Epigenomics, Midwestern University, Next Steps Biotech, Da Vinci Health Group: Molecular Approach for Oropharyngeal Cancer
This project aims to develop a new test for oropharyngeal cancers using specimen collected through a gargle/oral rinse biofluid. In 2024, Arizona had an estimated 1,080 new cases of oropharyngeal cancer, or specific head and neck cancers. The one liquid biopsy available in this disease uses blood samples, detects only human papillomavirus (HPV) positive head and neck cancers, doesn’t detect other oral cavity cancers, is expensive, and is difficult to grow to meet the needs of the market. This proposal will develop a new assay for the detection of all oropharyngeal cancers using fluid patients gargle in their mouths. This minimally invasive testing option is anticipated to provide opportunities for cancer screening, monitoring response to therapy, and surveillance for residual diseases after therapy. Principal Investigator: Mark A. Nelson, Ph.D.
University of Arizona with People Science, Rajant Health, Army Research Labs: New Date. The First Accurate Due Date Predictor
To better manage pregnancy and the possibility of preterm labor, this device aims to collect and recognize physiological cues to predict a mother’s due date. Only 5% of the nearly 4 million annual U.S. births occur at the 40-week due date. The onset of labor is difficult to predict, particularly when labor starts preterm. This can result in more health problems and stress for mothers and newborns and providers may not be prepared to handle pre-term birth effectively, leading to death. The team uses commercially available wearable devices (e.g., Oura rings) paired with new software to study how the mother’s body changes prior to labor to provide a personalized due date. It will be further developed to include a user interface and mobile application for transmitting real-time predictions. Principal Investigator: Elise Erickson, Ph.D.
University of Arizona with University of Minnesota, NYU Langone, Tulane University, VA Medical Center: Predictive Diagnostics for Immunomodulatory Therapy in Inflammatory and Fibrotic Disease
Diagnostic tools that enable patient stratification have been effective in cancer treatments. The project aims to develop similar tools for patients with cardiovascular disease where they currently don’t exist. Inflammation and fibrosis result in intractable diseases worldwide, such as chronic ischemic heart failure. The project team has developed tests to determine which patients have significant levels of inflammation, theorizing that they will identify which patients will have a positive benefit if treated with immunomodulation. This proposed approach is being designed to screen for multiple immunomodulatory treatments. Principal Investigator: Steven Goldman, M.D.
University of Arizona with Banner Health; ADMdx: Regenerating the Parkinson’s Brain: Assessing the Effect of Allopregnanolone on Striatal Dopamine Transporters
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease and is a growing source of disability and mortality. The therapy developed by this team aims to regenerate affected areas of the brain and treat the underlying cause of PD, which impacts about 1 million Americans. The disease is characterized by progressive loss of motor control but also affects multiple neural systems including sleep, sense of smell, taste, and cognition. The use of allopregnanolone (Allo; a naturally occurring molecule) for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s is being licensed from the University of Arizona. Allo is a neurosteroid, used here because it causes a fast increase of human neural stem cells, or cells that can self-renew and create more cells in the central nervous system. Principal Investigator: Roberta Diaz Brinton, Ph.D.
University of Arizona with University of Dundee; Agenus, Inc.: Superior Multi-Targeted WNT Inhibitors Towards Colorectal Cancer
For colorectal cancer (CRC), the proposed pharmaceutical aims to stop growth of tumors and boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer cells in combination with using immuno-oncology medication botensilimab and balstilimab. This team is developing a new drug (CC895) that inhibits the “WNT pathway.” This pathway is very active in CRC so using it to stop growth is promising. There is an urgent need for new treatments for the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., and it’s felt that a combination of CC895 and immuno-oncology therapy will be best. Additionally, a novel feature of the proposed solution is the ability of CC895 to allow the body to recognize tumors as threats and respond accordingly. Principal Investigator: Christopher Hulme, Ph.D.
Follow-on funding
Arizona State University with Mayo Clinic Arizona: “A Point-of-Care Test for the Rapid Diagnosis of Valley Fever”
Without a rapid, sensitive, specific test, Valley fever patients often receive an ineffective prescription for an antibiotic and are potentially lost to follow-up. The team’s rapid test provides a clinically actionable answer in 10 minutes with a single drop of blood. The follow-on funding will be critical to supporting the team in meeting key milestones as it prepares to launch a first-to-market, low-cost, rapid valley fever diagnostic test. Principal Investigator: Douglas Lake, Ph.D.
University of Arizona with Aspiro Therapeutics: “Developing a Novel Therapy to Treat Obstructive Lung Diseases”
Club cell secretory protein (CC16) has been identified as an important protein protecting against COPD, the third leading cause of death worldwide. This team aims to develop a pharmaceutical that will supplement patients’ levels of CC16. The follow-on funding will allow the team to conduct an aerosol feasibility study, including excipient compatibility, solubility, stability, and in vitro characterization studies. Principal Investigator: Julie Ledford, Ph.D.
University of Arizona: “Transcranial Acoustic Electric Imaging of Deep Brain Stimulation Currents”
This project aims to further develop a real-time transcranial acoustoelectric brain imaging (tABI) system to map DBS currents through the skull. This technology could then be used to guide DBS lead location during surgical placement, to better inform stimulation settings, and to monitor patients long-term. The follow-on funding will assist in optimizing tABI performance and a feasibility study. Principal Investigator: Russell Witte, Ph.D.
Learn more about the Flinn Foundation seed grants program at flinn.org/seedgrants.
About the Flinn Foundation
The Flinn Foundation is a Phoenix-based privately endowed, philanthropic grantmaking organization established in 1965 by Dr. Robert S. and Irene P. Flinn that awards grants and operates programs in four areas: the biosciences, the Flinn Scholars, arts and culture, and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership. The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations. The foundation’s focus on health care and medical research stems from the career of Robert S. Flinn, a cardiologist who headed the departments of cardiology and electrocardiography at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix.