EverGlade Consulting Funding Alert – Revolutionizing Osteoarthritis Treatment: The ARPA-H NITRO Program
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for its NITRO (Novel Innovations for Tissue Regeneration in Osteoarthritis) program, which seeks proposals that will revolutionize the treatment and management of osteoarthritis (OA) by developing novel techniques for the regeneration and reconstruction of IA cartilage and subchondral (SC) bone. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and debilitating condition affecting millions of people worldwide, with estimates suggesting that by 2040, 26% of adults will develop some form of arthritis, predominantly OA.
The current standard of care for OA patients often involves a progression from physiotherapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to open-joint surgery or total joint replacement. The NITRO program seeks to change this paradigm by introducing innovative approaches that reverse IA bone and cartilage damage in all synovial joints. NITRO’s vision is to enable joints to heal themselves, offering a transformative shift in the treatment and management of OA. By advancing regenerative and reconstructive strategies, the program aims to provide solutions that go beyond incremental advancements. The focus is on developing groundbreaking therapies that achieve substantial regeneration of IA tissues, rather than simply slowing down OA progression.
The NITRO program addresses these challenges through a multi-faceted approach, with a focus on three technical areas (TAs):
- TA1: Needle-Based and/or Non-Invasive Subchondral Bone Regeneration: This area aims to develop a therapeutic approach to regenerate SC bone in all cases of primary and secondary OA, providing targeted pain relief and restoring the original structure-function relationship within the joint.
- TA2: Needle-Based and/or Non-Invasive Cartilage Regeneration: This area aims to develop therapeutics for regenerating cartilage in all cases of primary and secondary OA, enabling the restoration of joint function and reducing pain.
- TA3: Allogeneic and Autogenous Non-Immunogenic, Load bearing, and Osteochondroinductive Total Replacement Joints: This area focuses on developing patient-specific, non-immunogenic, bioresorbable total knee replacements that meet or exceed the current standard for artificial total knee implants.
The NITRO program represents a significant opportunity to revolutionize the treatment and management of osteoarthritis. Through collaborative efforts and innovative approaches, this program has the potential to transform the care algorithm for OA patients, offering long-lasting and accessible solutions. The NITRO program will contribute to better health outcomes, improved patient care, and reduced economic burden. With ongoing osteoarthritis research and development, we can look forward to a future where joints can heal themselves, improving the lives of millions impacted by osteoarthritis.
Application Process and Deadlines
For interested proposers, ARPA-H will hold a Proposers’ Day on June 15, 2023, to facilitate information of proposer teams and enable sharing of information. The deadline to register for this event is 12:00 pm EDT on June 8, 2023. Abstracts will be due by 5:00 pm EDT on June 23, 2023, and final proposals will be due at 5:00 pm EDT on July 28, 2023.
If you are looking for research funding for osteoarthritis or developing a product that you think might fall under one of the technical areas mentioned above, EverGlade can help you make that determination and pursue a successful contract. EverGlade Consulting is a national consulting firm helping clients navigate the federal landscape.
We work with technology-driven companies whose focus is to secure non-dilutive funding through the United States federal government. We offer services ranging from opportunity identification and proposal support through the implementation of systems to comply with federal regulations at agencies including BARDA, ASPR, NIH, DTRA, JPEO, ARPA-H, and DARPA.