Elements of a Winning SBIR Grant Application:

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AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc.
Elements of a Winning SBIR Grant
Application Lessons Learned Lawrence J. Thomas,
Ph.D. AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc.
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AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc

• AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. is a
  biopharmaceutical company engaged in the
  discovery, development and commercialization of
  products that harness the human immune response
  to prevent and treat disease.

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CETP Vaccine Program

• Goal To prevent or treat atherosclerosis by
  vaccination.
• Method Induce antibodies to cholesteryl ester
  transfer protein (CETP), thereby reducing its
  activity, and raising serum levels of HDL
  (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.
• Progress Currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial.

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CETP Vaccine Program

• SBIR Funding (NHLBI)
• Phase I SBIR A Plasmid-based Vaccine to Prevent
  / Treat Atherosclerosis
• Phase I SBIR A Peptide Vaccine to Prevent /
  Treat Atherosclerosis
• Phase I and Phase II SBIR Development of a
  Transgenic Rat Atherosclerosis Model

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Lessons Learned

• Before Writing the Application
• While Writing the Application
• After Writing the Application

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Before Writing the Application

• . Understand the SBIR Program. Is it right for
  your company and the project?

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Before Writing the Application

• . Clearly define your Specific Aims.

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Before Writing the Application

• . Preliminary data is valuable.

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Before Writing the Application

• . Talk to the staff at the appropriate funding
  agency.

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While Writing the Application

• . Read the instructions carefully.

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While Writing the Application

• . Leave enough time for writing, reviewing and
  modifications.

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While Writing the Application

• . Talk to the staff at the appropriate funding
  agency.

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While Writing the Application

• . Pay attention to the details of the entire
  application. Be organized.

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After Writing the Application

• . Talk to the staff at the appropriate funding
  agency.

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After Writing the Application

• . Carefully consider the Summary Statement when
  deciding whether to reapply.

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After Writing the Application

• . If the Specific Aims need to change, be sure
  they are still consistent with the companys
  project goals.