Small Business Innovation Research Program Provides Seed Funding for R&D
Warren, New Jersey, October 1, 2024 – NeuroTechR3, Inc., a pioneer in neurorehabilitation technologies has been awarded a National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant for $570,000 to conduct research and development (R&D) work on a project entitled “Improved hand and arm function in children with Cerebral Palsy through increased access to affordable and user-friendly exergaming technologies”. NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
NeuroTechR3, Inc. in collaboration with New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and key stakeholders will, over the course of this two-year project, conduct research and development transforming principles of neuroscience into an evidence-based innovative therapeutic exergame product that can be used by children with mild to moderate Cerebral Palsy (CP) in their homes and with their therapists as an adjunct intervention to improve upper extremity function, leading to greater independence and participation in the community and daily living. “We envision our product to become the new standard of care and are advancing its development in partnership with children with CP, their caregivers, and health professionals”, said Mee Eriksson, CEO of NeuroTechR3 and the Principal Investigator on the grant.
The project directly focuses on the unique challenges faced by children with CP, their caregivers, and clinicians, leveraging engaging tailored to their specific needs and requirements. “The product we are developing will stand out for its ability to integrate seamlessly into various settings with easy to use, goal-oriented, and personalized therapy. Such versatility not only makes it an attractive option for caregivers seeking effective and engaging therapy solutions, but also positions the system favorably in the market as a cost-efficient, clinically validated tool for enhancing hand function and overall therapy adherence among children with CP”, added Mee Eriksson.
The R&D will be conducted in collaboration with Sergei Adamovich, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at NJIT and the head of the Neuromotor Behavior and Neurorehabilitation Engineering Lab and Director for the Center for Rehabilitation Robotics. “Collaborating with NeuroTechR3 provides a unique opportunity to apply our research in neurorehabilitation to real-world settings. Their innovative approach to using exergaming technology opens new frontiers in rehabilitation, particularly in enhancing motor recovery for children with Cerebral Palsy”, said Dr. Adamovich.
About the NIDILRR’s Small Business Programs: The intent of NIDILRR’s Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program is to help support the development of new ideas and projects that are useful to persons with disabilities by inviting the participation of small business firms with strong research capabilities in science, engineering, or educational technology. During Phase I, NIDILRR funds firms to conduct feasibility studies to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of an idea. During Phase II, NIDILRR-funded firms expand on the results of Phase I to pursue further development. In 1982, the U.S. Congress established the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to stimulate technological innovation, use small business to meet federal research and development needs, and increase private sector commercialization. SBIR is a highly competitive program that encourages small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from the commercialization of their SBIR-generated products. By including qualified small businesses in the nation’s R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the U.S. gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs. (See SBIR.gov for more information)
About NeuroTechR3
Founded in April 2020, NeuroTechR3 is dedicated to revolutionizing neurological rehabilitation through innovative technologies. With a focus on affordable and accessible solutions for improving hand functions, NeuroTechR3 aims to make personalized therapy available to all. For more information, visit NeuroTechR3’s website.
Contact
For media inquiries, please contact: Mee Eriksson, CEO NeuroTechR3, Inc.
Email: mee.eriksson@neurotechr3.com
