Three Spokane Based Companies, One Seattle Based Company, and SRHD Receive HSSA Matching Grants for Bioscience Based Economic Development

Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County (HSSA) is proud to announce the recipients of Matching Grants for bioscience based economic development approved at the October and November 2024 meetings of the Board of Trustees.

Precision Quantomics (PQ) was awarded a $294,540 HSSA matching grant after the WSU spinoff won a Phase 1 SBIR Award from the National Institute of Health. This award is particularly meaningful to HSSA as PQ Founder Dr. Bhagwat Prasad was recruited to the Spokane area in 2019 with a grant to WSU to recruit scientific faculty to the region who brought federal research dollars with them. Dr. Prasad has brought 5.2 million dollars in extramural follow-on funding to the region, had 62 scientific publications, and trained 7 Post Doctoral and 3 PhD students, 1 of whom received a federal grant of their own, during his time at WSU Spokane.

Even as Dr. Prasad plans a move out of the region, Precision Quantomics will live on in Spokane County adding staff here and working to decrease health disparities and improve health outcomes for underrepresented patient groups such as children, women, racial minorities, elderly individuals and disease specific populations.These groups have historically been excluded from drug testing, leading to unintended health disparities, including disproportionate occurrences of unforeseen adverse events and reduced efficacy of approved drugs. PQ’s work will change this.

Two other growing Spokane County based businesses received $250,000 matching grants from HSSA as well. Slate Dental’s HSSA matching grant will support their work creating a warehouse and fulfilment center where new jobs will be created in Spokane County while making improvements in oral health that are linked to other long term health concerns like Alzheimer’s Disease. Blaze Barrier's matching grant that will add staff to catalyze their work bringing their wildfire prevention product to market. In addition to immediate dangers, wildfires have created several significant health risks in our region including poor air quality, respiratory challenges and mental health concerns.

The Spokane Regional Health District also received a $47,500 HSSA matching grant to support their work on the Quality of Life Survey. Information collected in this report is used to determine and guide business and health priorities in the region.

Remmie Health is the recipient of the largest matching grant award in HSSA’s history at $1,250,000. The Seattle based company had received a $3,000,000 SBIR award from the National Institiute of Health and offers AI-powered ear-nose-throat (ENT) solutions to minimize unnecessary doctor visits and improve access to ENT specialists or accurate diagnosis. With a family digital otoscope and a telehealth-enabling app, users are guided by AI to record ENT medical history at home, stream real-time physical findings and examinations to telemedicine services, and receive clinical insights and prescriptions. Remmie will open a commercial service hub in downtown Spokane employing five new staffers who will all reside here in Spokane County.

“It is rewarding to see a growing life science company like Remmie Health choose to bring an important part of their work to Spokane County. This type of project recruitment was highlighted in another HSSA funded project, the Life Science Asset and Landscape Study commissioned by Greater Spokane Incorporated in 2023.” says HSSA Executive Director Erin Williams Hueter.

HSSA made two additional Grant Writing Assistance Micro Awards as well to Launchpad Inland Northwest and Precision Quantomics. These awards allow recipients to work with professional grant writing consultants to help bring federal grant dollars to Spokane County.

HSSA Makes Two Grant Awards Totaling $499,821

HSSA is pleased to share about our most recent recipients of matching grants for bioscience based economic development: Medcurity and Photon Biosciences.

This is HSSA’s first award to Medcurity who received $200,000 matching an investment from a qualified investor. Medcurity’s award will use their award to incorporate generative artificial intelligence capabilities into their software, already leading to more efficient, accurate, and timely security risk management.

This is HSSA’s fourth award to Photon Biosciences who relocated from Pullman to Spokane to take advantage of matching grants available through HSSA. The award of $299,812 matches a grant from the National Institute of Health and continues their work to introduce a comprehensive suite of services designed to revolutionize protein structure determination through Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM), Cryo-Electron Tomography (Cryo-ET), and Protein Crystallography.

“HSSA has grown and consistently receives high quality grant proposals from exciting innovators here in Spokane County and beyond. We look forward to seeing the progress at both Medcurity and Photon Biosciences” said HSSA Executive Director Erin Williams Hueter.

HSSA Votes to Approve Matching Grants Totaling $704,900

Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County (HSSA) is proud to announce the recipients of Matching Grants for bioscience based economic development approved at a June 2024 meeting of the Board of Trustees.

HSSA continues to receive an impressive slate of grant applications. At their June 2024 Board Meeting, Trustees approved three matching grant awards totaling $704,900.

An award of $454,900 was made to Glyciome, matching their grants from the National Cancer Institute. The award will further Glyciome's research on a cervical cancer prevention product, and add new staff to their team here in Spokane County.

An award of $150,000 was made to Spokane based Litehouse Health, matching a recent investment from a qualified investor.

An award of $100,000 was made to Parrots, matching a recent investment from a qualified investor. Technology at Parrots is being utilized to help people with Parkinson's Disease, and their award will help add additional staff time to another growing Spokane business.

Additionally, HSSA made a Grant Writing Assistance Micro Award to Crimson Health. These small awards of up to $10,000 help bioscience businesses work with grant writing consultants to increase their likelihood of bringing federal and state grant dollars to Spokane County.

HSSA Welcomes New Board Members

HSSA is pleased to share that several new faces will join the Board of Trustees.

Chandima Bandara, CEO at Photon Biosciences and Precision Quantomics has been appointed by the Board.

Alisha Benson, CEO at Greater Spokane Incorporated has been appointed by the Spokane County Commissioners.

Dr. Vange Ocasio Hochheimer, Professor of Economics at Whitworth University and President and CEO at Grand Fir Analytics has been appointed by the Board.

Dr. Patrick Jones, Executive Director at Eastern Washington University Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis has been appointed by the Board.

Julie Orchard, Service Area Chief Human Resources Officer at Providence Saint Joseph Health has been appointed by the Board.

Dr. Robin Pickering, Chair of the Public Health Department at Gonzaga University and Host of A Closer Look has been appointed by the Board.

We expect a final decision from Governor Inslee about our vacant Washington State Appointment soon.

HSSA Congratulates Mike Wilson on his Icon Award

HSSA extends congratulations to long time Board Member and regional health care leader, Mike Wilson on his 2024 Icon Award from the Spokane Journal of Business!

Pictured here with current HSSA Board Chair, Dr. Francisco Velázquez at the award ceremony.

HSSA Announces Matching Grant Recipients and Grant Writing Assistance Micro Awards

Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County (HSSA) is proud to announce the recipients of Matching Grants for bioscience based economic development approved at an April 2024 meeting of the Board of Trustees.

HSSA continues to receive an impressive slate of grant applications. At an April 2024 Special Board Meeting, Trustees approved matching grant awards totaling $500,000.

An award of $250,000 was made to Bovi.Ag. The Yakima based agricultural business has developed technology that will reduce pesticide exposure for tractor operators. They will hire two new staff people with their award, and will move their existing operations to Spokane County as well.

An award of $250,000 was made to Spokane based Gestalt Diagnostics Inc. The award will aid further development and commercialization of PathFlow, adding two new staff people to their ranks.

Additionally, HSSA made two Grant Writing Assistance Micro Awards to Glyciome and Glyxin respectively. These small awards of up to $10,000 help bioscience businesses work with grant writing consultants to increase their likelihood of bringing federal and state grant dollars to Spokane County.

"The Board is pleased to see a broad range of applicants working in many disciplines to improve the health of people around the world, and here in Spokane County. We look forward to following the progress of our most recent grant recipients" says HSSA Board Chair, Dr. Francisco Velázquez.

HSSA of Spokane County promotes bioscience based economic development and advances new therapies and procedures to prevent disease and promote public health. Our priorities are: better health and health care in Spokane County, create well-paying jobs in Spokane County, and power future economic growth in Spokane County. Details about available grant opportunities and application deadlines can be found on our website hssaspokane.org.

HSSA AWARDS $1,379,477 IN MATCHING GRANTS AND ADDITIONAL $448,432 IN ACCESS TO CARE GRANTS

Health Sciences and Services Authority (HSSA) of Spokane County is proud to announce the recipients of Matching Grants for bioscience based economic development and Access to Care Grants approved at the December 2023 meeting of the Board of Trustees.

HSSA received an impressive eleven applications for various types of Matching Grants for bioscience based economic development totaling $4,485,043. Six Matching Grants were approved for awards totaling $1,379,477. The award recipients below had match from current grants from state and federal agencies, investors, as well as businesses and PDA's.

• Inherent Biosciences: Expansion of Male Fertility Diagnostic Business to Spokane, WA in Partnership with Allele Diagnostics ($250,000)
• ILB: Recovering Bioactive Compounds from Potato Peels and Byproducts for Promoting Human Health Benefits ($175,000)
• Managed Health Connections: Advanced Contingency Management System for Reduction of Alcohol Use ($499,890)
• Preveal Technologies, Inc: Feasibility Study of Incite Cognitive Improvement System ($137,275)
• Qualterra: Industrial Symbiosis 2 ($256,857)
• Spokane Public Library: StartUp Spokane Resource Toolbox ($60,455)

Additionally, HSSA received twenty-two applications for Access to Care Grants totaling $2,345,333. Eleven Access to Care Grants were approved for a total of $448,432. The purpose of Access to Care Grants is to provide better health and health care to people who are uninsured, under insured or at risk in Spokane County. The award recipients include:

• CHAS: Language Access is Healthcare Access ($42,331)
• Community Minded Enterprises: Expanding Access to Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Services ($24,564)
• Hispanic Business Professionals Association: Esperanza ($50,000)
• Joya: Extended Pediatric Services Program ($67,500)
• Latinos En Spokane: Immigrant Healthcare Expansion in Spokane County ($30,000)
• Mujeres in Action: Behavioral Health Services to Immigrant Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence ($50,000)
• Partners with Families and Children: Children’s Advocacy Center Support for Child and Adolescent Victims of Abuse and Neglect ($55,297.50)
• Peer Spokane: Health through Housing for Spokane Residents ($38,730)
• Raze Development: Building a Behavioral Health Team for Early Intervention ($30,000)
• Shades of Motherhood Network: Long Term Sustainability through Billable Programming ($30,000)
• Spokane Prescription Assistance Network: Continuation of Programming ($30,000)

"The Board was very pleased to see a large pool of applicants for both matching grants for economic development, and for access to care grants. We had to make some tough decisions, but we look forward to seeing what this outstanding group of grantees will accomplish." says HSSA Board Chair, Dr. Francisco Velázquez.

HSSA of Spokane County promotes bioscience based economic development and advances new therapies and procedures to prevent disease and promote public health. Our priorities are: better health and health care in Spokane County, create well-paying jobs in Spokane County, and power future economic growth in Spokane County. Details about available grant opportunities and application deadlines can be found on our website hssaspokane.org.

Notice of Board Vacancies and Call for Applicants

HSSA’s Volunteer Board of Trustees is currently comprised of three people appointed by Washington State, three people appointed by Spokane County, and three people appointed by the City of Spokane. The Board of Trustees seeks to appoint up to five new Trustees to the Board.

The Board seeks applicants from diverse backgrounds. Skills and expertise of particular interest include: public health, legal, human resources, marketing, regulatory environment, grant-making and philanthropy, accounting and cyber security.

Applicants should send a letter of interest and resume to info@hssaspokane.org. The application priority review deadline is February 15, 2024.

More information can be found about HSSA’s Board of Trustees, staff, impact, and grant opportunities at hssaspokane.org.

Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County (HSSA) promotes bioscience based economic development and advances new therapies and procedures to combat disease and promote public health.

HSSA was created in 2007 by Washington State RCW 35.10435.104, and Spokane County Resolution 7-1054. Our duties, priorities, and policy were created by Washington State RCW 3.104.060 104.060 , Spokane County Resolution 8-1056 and renewed until 2038 by Spokane County Resolution 2021-0055.

Our priorities are:

1. Provide better health and health care in Spokane County.

1. Create well-paying jobs in Spokane County.

1. Power future growth in Spokane County.

Former HSSA Executive Director Susan Ashe Wins Buster T and Nancy D Alvord Award from the Northwest Association of Biomedical Research

Retired Executive Director at Health Sciences and Services Authority (HSSA) of Spokane County, Susan Ashe, will be honored with the Buster and Nancy D Alvord Award from the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research at the 2023 #ThanksResearch Gala on September 21st at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle, Washington.

Alvord Awardees are chosen for their general philanthropic impact on communities in the Northwest. They are strong advocates, educators, philanthropists or donors for the local biomedical community.

The Award is being given to Ms. Ashe in recognition of her singular contribution which has enabled Spokane to become a core research hub in the Pacific Northwest.

“There is no doubt that Ms. Ashe’s distinguished career with a particular focus on her most recent role with the HSSA is deserving of recognition with this Award.” said Ken Gordon, Executive Director a the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR).

Ms. Ashe was the founding Executive Director at HSSA and has worked with great success to build a thriving life science ecosystem in the Spokane area. HSSA has awarded over fifty-nine million dollars in grants focused on job creation through biomedical research and access to health care. “Susan had the vision to take HSSA from its humble beginnings to a vital funding partner in our community. Susan is full of grace and grit. She gets things done!” shared founding HSSA Board Chair Nancy Isserlis.

“We invite the community will join us in celebrating Susan’s impressive legacy and tireless work to promote and support bioscience research for a healthier Spokane.” says current HSSA Board Chair Dr. Francisco Velázquez.

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ABOUT THE NORTHWEST ASSOCIATION FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

The Northwest Association for Biomedical Research #ThanksResearh Gala is a celebration of people, organizations, initiatives, and communities who have worked to improve trust in biomedical research. Trust is fundamental to everything that we do in biomedical research and at this year's Lunchtime Gala we will be celebrating a unique group of awardees who have built trust in their fields.

5 Questions with Photon Biosciences CEO Chandima Bandara

1. Tell us about your business in two sentences or less.

Photon Biosciences is a company focused on developing and implementing advanced imaging probe technologies that utilize genetically expressible biological imaging molecules for studying and manipulating biological systems. We create innovative tools and methods for applications such as diagnostics, medical imaging, cryo-electron microscopy, to improve scientific understanding and human health.

1. What inspired you to do this work?

Dr. ChulHee Kang and James Brozik, both esteemed professors at Washington State University, are the visionary scientists who co-founded Photon Biosciences, driven by their passion for advancing the field of biotechnology. Dr. Kang, with expertise in molecular biology and protein engineering, contributes to the development of novel genetically expressible imaging molecules. Dr. Brozik, a specialist in biophysics and fluorescence spectroscopy, enhances the company's capabilities in creating cutting-edge imaging techniques and applications for improved diagnostics and research. Later joined by Chandima Bandaranayaka and Kevin Lewis, the team expanded its interdisciplinary foundation. Chandima, with a scientific background, has expertise in biotechnology business development and operations, while Dr. Lewis contributes his knowledge in the areas of protein engineering, molecular biology and genetics.

1. What is your hope regarding improving health in Spokane County with your work?

While Spokane's research and development (R&D) sector may be smaller compared to other metropolitan areas, the region possesses a vibrant community with the potential to thrive in the fields of science and healthcare. Despite the current limitations in advanced scientific facilities and challenges in attracting top talent, there is ample opportunity for growth and innovation. Spokane faces healthcare challenges such as a shortage of healthcare providers, limited access to specialty care, and high rates of chronic diseases, particularly in rural areas where accessing high-quality diagnostic tools can be difficult. Photon Biosciences, recognizing the potential of Spokane, specializes in developing advanced medical diagnostics, including high-resolution microscopy and imaging tools. By harnessing local resources and expertise, Photon Biosciences aims to improve diagnosis, reduce healthcare costs, and ultimately enhance the overall quality of health in Spokane and its surrounding communities..

1. What is your hope regarding powering Spokane County's economy with your work/business?

Spokane, WA is becoming a prominent health innovation hub, offering a dynamic environment that fosters collaboration between researchers, medical institutions, and biotechnology companies. With our partnership, Photon Biosciences, a pioneer in fluorescence detection technology, Spokane can leverage this expertise to accelerate the development of novel diagnostics, further solidifying its position as a leader in healthcare innovation. This symbiotic relationship not only enhances Spokane's reputation as a premier destination for biotech investments and talent, but also drives significant advancements in medical science that ultimately benefit the entire community.

1. Please share a short story that gives us insight into your impact.

Photon Biosciences specializes in advanced fluorescence detection technology, a field with the potential to significantly impact cardiac marker testing and improve patient outcomes. Dr. Kevin Lewis, a leading scientist at Photon Biosciences, recognizes the importance of enhancing diagnostic sensitivity and introducing multiplexing capabilities in cardiac marker tests. He knows that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 17.9 million deaths annually, and early and accurate diagnosis can help reduce the number of fatalities.

Through dedicated research and collaboration with other experts in the field, Dr. Lewis and his team is developing an innovative cardiac marker test that provides superior diagnostic sensitivity and multiplexing ability. This innovation allows healthcare professionals to detect multiple cardiac biomarkers simultaneously, enabling faster and more accurate identification of heart attacks.

The test being developed by Photon Biosciences holds great potential for use in pre-hospital settings, such as during the average 45-minute ambulance ride to the hospital. This early testing enroute to the hospital can provide valuable information for healthcare professionals, allowing them to prepare appropriate treatment options even before the patient arrives. This expedited diagnostic process can significantly improve patient outcomes and increase the likelihood of survival.

The adoption of the new technology in hospitals and emergency medical services has the potential to reduce the number of deaths due to heart attacks. By improving the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of cardiac marker testing, Photon Biosciences could play a crucial role in saving lives and enhancing cardiac care.

Learn More About Photon Biosciences at https://photonbiosciences.com/home-1

Pictured Below Dr. Kevin Lewis and Chandima Bandara at the Photon Biosciences lab.