Birmingham-based CerFlux Inc. has received a $100,000 grant from the Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program.
The program aimed to provide the state's entrepreneurs and innovators a chance to receive funds intended to grow Alabama’s economy by stimulating research and commercialization, developing exportable products and services and creating and retaining high-wage jobs in skilled occupations.
Alabama-based recipients of Phase I and Phase II Federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants were eligible to apply for up to $250,000 in supplemental funding.
Phase I recipients were eligible to apply for 50% of their award, up to $100,000. Phase II recipients were eligible to apply for 50% of their award, up to $250,000. Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program awards are non-dilutive, meaning businesses receive the money without giving up shares of their company.
CerFlux was a Phase I grant recipient.
The company's work involves testing multiple cancer drugs simultaneously on standard biopsy tissue obtained from a patient’s tumor. CEO Karim Budhwani compared the process to a tic-tac-toe board with a different drug in each box. Xs show treatments that will not work while Os point to the best options for that patient.
The benefits of the new technology include not only life-saving and quality-of-life-improving treatments for patients, but potential billions of dollars in savings for pharmaceutical companies. Currently, Budhwani said, the majority of cancer trials fail, but if that percentage could be reduced, it could result in a multibillion-dollar windfall.
