BoSS Teaming Profiles
This page is designed to help facilitate connections between prospective proposers, which ARPA-H anticipates will be necessary to achieve the goals of the BioStabilization Systems (BoSS) program. Prospective performers are encouraged (but not required) to form teams with varied technical expertise to submit a proposal.
If either you or your organization are interested in teaming, please create a profile via the ARPA-H Solutions Portal linked below. Your details will then be added to this page, which is publicly available.
Please note that by publishing the teaming profiles list, ARPA-H is not endorsing, sponsoring, or otherwise evaluating the qualifications of the individuals or organizations included here. Submissions to the teaming profiles list are reviewed and updated periodically.
BoSS Teaming Profiles
To narrow the results in the Teaming Profiles List, please use the input below to filter results based on your search term. The list will filter as you type.
| Christy Haynes | University of Minnesota | chaynes@umn.edu | Minneapolis, MN | My research group has experience designing and synthesizing nanomaterials that facilitate rewarming after cryopreservation. It would be interesting to consider whether these polymer-functionalized nanomaterials could be adapted (by changing the core nanomaterial or appended polymer) so that they preserve structure/function after room temperature storage, as requested in BoSS. We have also worked on significant nanomaterial scale-up for previous applications. | This area of room temperature storage is new to my research group, so I would be interested in teaming partners who have the biological expertise and/or hardware (for reactivating preserved biologics) expertise. | TA1: BioPrep |
| Jaclyn Shingara | Maverick Bio | jshingara@maverickbio.com | Winston Salem, NC and Dubbo, Australia, NC | Maverick Bio is committed to delivering high quality collagen solutions for the development of translational applications including hydrogel-based cryopreservation and delivery systems for cell and drug therapy. | Maverick is seeking partners interested in developing next generation solutions for cryopreservation and drug delivery using collagen | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Joe Larsen | Kensington Street Consulting | jlarsen@kensingtonst.com | Arlington, VA | We provide proposal writing support and technical program/agreement management post-award. We are looking for additional partners to join our team. | We are looking for teaming partners for TA2 Bioprocessing. | TA1: BioPrep |
| Shahar Sukenik | Syracuse University | ssukenik@syr.edu | Syracuse, NY | We aim to uncover the molecular grammar underlying desiccation tolerance in biological systems. Our research is driven by two main thrusts: The first thrust aims to uncover the sequence properties that allow proteins to tolerate desiccation and rehydration. The second thrust aims to design novel, protective intrinsically disordered proteins that confer cells and organisms with desiccation protection. | We develop high throughput methods to study desiccation protection at scale. We are looking for partners to help us validate hits from our screens. Specifically, we would be interested in creating desiccation tolerant variants of specific protein-based therapeutics, or by adding protective proteins as excipients to formulations that currently require cold-chain delivery. | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Abhinav Bhushan | Illinois Institute of Technology | abhushan@iit.edu | Chicago, IL | Biomedical research, cell based technologies | Validation assays | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Leila Deravi | Northeastern University | l.deravi@northeastern.edu | Boston, MA | Our team has expertise in the formulation design, lab-scale fabrication, and testing of bio-inspired materials and coatings suitable for cell/biomolecule encapsulation. Expertise in biomaterials, polymer chemistry, thin film and 3D fabrication (printing and controlled emulsion polymerization in coatings) with lab-scale testing of biologics under extreme environments available and validated for use. | Looking for partners who can help scale lab-based solutions and experimentally validate bioactivity under our confinement conditions and assays | TA2: Bioprocessing, TA1: BioPrep |
| Asher Williams | Columbia University | aw3571@columbia.edu | New York, NY, USA, NY | Our lab engineers protein–glycan interactions for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Current work includes lectin engineering, nanobody–glycan conjugates, biomanufacturing of glycoproteins, and immune-modulating platforms for cancer, infection, and neurodegeneration. | We seek partners with expertise in cell stabilization, cryopreservation alternatives, materials for protective matrices, and scalable biomanufacturing. We are also interested in collaborators with capabilities in systems engineering, microfluidics, and in vitro functional assays to enable room-temperature stabilization and functional testing of engineered cells. | TA1: BioPrep, TA1: BioPrep |
| Ting Xu | University of California, Berkeley | tingxu@berkeley.edu | Berkeley, CA USA, CA | We have developed materials called random heteropolymers for protein and serum stabilization under various conditions. Detailed can be found in the following publications: Random Heteropolymer Enables Protein Function in Foreign Environments, Science, 2018, 359, 1239; Population-based Heteropolymer Design to Mimic Protein Mixtures in Biological Fluids, Nature, 2023, 615, 251. | Industrial partner with clinically relevant biological entities. | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Alexander Kabanov | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | kabanov@email.unc.edu | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC | Innovative polymer solutions for drug delivery, nanomedicine, and phramacoengineering. Our nanotechnology center accelerates the efficacy of new drugs and imaging agents and translates leading-edge nanomedicine into clinical solutions for diseases with limited treatment options. | Industrial partners capable of scale up our polymer based processes fro biopharmaceuticals | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Alan Rudolph | Tardigrada Technology Group | Rudolph@colostate.edu | Denver/Front Range, NY region, CO | Our experience covers the science of stabilization to its applications in biological formulation development. Experience includes stabilizing blood cells, and engineering nucleated cells as DARPA PM, corporate development (Cellphire) and dry stabilization of vaccines and proteins. | Looking to support teams in development | TA2: Bioprocessing, TA1: BioPrep |
| Lisa Stehno-Bittel | Likarda | lbittel@likarda.com | Kansas City, MO | Likarda developed a novel microencapsulation process using well-characterized, biocompatible polymers to protect cell therapies. The technology was first used to deliver cells providing immune protection or slow, targeted release. As we applied the technology more, the ability to protect cells during storage in harsh conditions became apparent. The process improves survival during cryopreservation and fresh cell storage, extending the shelf life and can be dissolved-on-demand by the end users. | Likarda’s proposal focuses on the promise of cell lyophilization using our polymers to protect the cells. We are looking for team members that would 1) have unique methods of testing the cellular function and stability after lyophilization, 2) have a compelling need for lyophilized cells and 3) companies that could design a GMP-ready version of our alpha unit. | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Derese Getnet | Simmbion | dgetnet@simmbion.org | Baltimore, MD | Simmbion is pioneering a trypanosome-based "living medicine" platfrom designed to transform the delivery of biologics (peptides, enzymes, and antibodies) through a single once-yearly injection that dramatically improves compliance, cost-effectivness, and removes cold chain for patients. current formulation of this cell therapy is stable for 15 days at room temprature and 1 month at 4C. With support from NSF, Simmbion has recieved concurrence from FDA through INTERACT meeting a 2 study BLA path. | Having been inspired by nature on symbiosis, we are looking for partners that have automated screening capabilities to survey novel formulations derived from the salivary gland and hemolymph of the kissing bug. | TA1: BioPrep, TA1: BioPrep |
| Thomas Boothby | University of Wyoming | tboothby@uwyo.edu | Laramie, WY | We focus on understanding how organisms survive extreme desiccation and how we can adapt these strategies for the stabilization of biologics outside of the cold-chain. Specific areas of interest include understanding what material properties of vitrified systems enhance protection during drying and prolong protection once in the dry state. | We specifically seek teaming partners with expertise in functional testing of biologics and/or delivery of exogenous vitrifying material into cells, tissues, or whole organisms. | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Silas Jackson | Ambient Biosciences | sjackson@ambientbio.com | Ann Arbor, MI | Ambient Biosciences offers innovative stabilization technology designed to remove cold-chain constraints and provide a faster, more reliable alternative to lyophilization. Our freeze-free platform preserves biomolecular performance and lowers logistics costs while fitting seamlessly into existing manufacturing. With broad applicability to future cell-based products, Ambient supports partners aiming to expand scalability and advance ambient-ready workflows. | Ambient Biosciences aims to team with GMP cell and gene therapy manufacturers and groups experienced in engineered cells, viability testing, and functional potency assays. Partners will help assess how CAV’s innovative stabilization technology can interface with cell processing, formulation, and scale-up to advance ambient-temperature solutions for resilient and deployable cell-based products. | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Jennifer Buell | MiNK Therapeutics | jennifer.buell@minktherapeutics.com | Lexington, MA | MiNK Therapeutics is a cutting-edge clinical-stage company developing innovative allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies for cancer and immune-mediated diseases. The lead product is an off-the-shelf therapy administered without lymphodepletion or HLA matching. These cells enhance both innate and adaptive immunity by combining the potent cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells with the lasting memory response of T cells. | MiNK's lead product candidate AGENT-797 is in multiple Phase 1 clinical trials with clinical and preclinical readouts anticipated later this year. Our research team is focused on developing potential first-or best-in-class therapies using a next- generation technology platform to develop novel engineered iNKT cell therapies and bispecific iNKT cell engagers. | TA2: Bioprocessing, TA1: BioPrep |
| Benjamin tenOever | NYU School of Medicine | Benjamin.tenOever@NYUlangone.org | New York, NY | We develop a programmable RNA vector platform that delivers large genetic payloads, supports logic gated expression, achieves broad tissue distribution, and can be stored in a stable lyophilized format for field ready use. Our work integrates innate immunity, gene editing, and next generation therapeutic and diagnostic design. | We seek collaborators with expertise in formulation, biomaterials, device integration, regulatory planning, or specialized therapeutic areas. Partners who can expand payload applications or support translation of our RNA vector platform are especially valuable. | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Robert ietswaart | Aircyt, Inc. | robert.ietswaart@aircyt.com | Boston, MA | AI for Cell Therapy discovery and manufacturing optimization, including biopreservation. | Automated, high-throughput lab testing, manufacturing, and commercialization partners. | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Mahdi Imani | Northeastern University | m.imani@northeastern.edu | Boston, MA | Northeastern University develops advanced autonomous decision systems, adaptive learning frameworks, and safety-certified reasoning models for large-scale health and cyber-physical environments. Our research integrates symbolic and high-dimensional representations, uncertainty quantification, and distributed AI to enhance national health preparedness and resilient response. | Our group focuses on autonomous decision-making, symbolic and high-dimensional reasoning, PAC-Bayesian safety methods, and adaptive AI for health systems. We develop scalable models for preparedness, early detection, distributed inference, and resilient response across complex, uncertain health environments. | TA1: BioPrep |
| Sheila Mikhail | M34 | mscott@m34thx.com | Chapel Hill, NC | M34 is a clinical-stage AAV gene therapy company improving safety, efficacy, and cost. Its redesigned Zolgensma for SMA showed in humans a 1/60 dose reduction. At this dose, one 200-L bioreactor could supply all global SMA patients. Since manufacturing drives gene therapy costs, M34’s approach can significantly lower treatment expense. | M34 is looking for partners that have demonstrated capabilities in bioprocessing in cell based platforms, including thermo-stabilization. Capabilities that include innovative upstream and downstream approaches, including suspension based platforms are preferred. | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |
| Tim Obara | Jurata Thin Film Inc | tobara@juratatf.com | Chapel Hill, NC | Jurata’s stabilization technology utilizes polymeric excipients to stabilize biologics, including cells, preserving their structural integrity and bioactivity. The underlying mechanism of stabilization is attributed to the formulation’s ability to prevent aggregation and hydrolysis. Studies have shown that Jurata’s technology significantly enhances the stability of live-attenuated viral vector vaccines under accelerated storage conditions, enabling long-term viability at ambient temperatures. | Jurata is looking for partners that have demonstrated capabilities in bioprocessing. Partners that would add capabilities to our stabilization technology, including re-animation techniques or reversible suspension of biological activity would be ideal to optimize the benefits of our technology, | TA2: Bioprocessing, TA1: BioPrep |
| Joseph Russell | MRIGlobal | jrussell@mriglobal.org | Gaithersburg, MD | biosecurity, applied Bio-engineering, automated device development, computational biology, AIxBio | Genome engineering, extremophile biology | TA2: Bioprocessing, TA1: BioPrep |
| Rauf Ashraf | IPS HEART | rauf@ipsheart.com | Houston, TX | We have 2 FDA designed Orphan Drug Designated therapeutics which are iPS stem cell derived for making new cardiac muscle and new skeletal muscle. Our IND will be filed next year as the FDA has accepted our proposed Phase I/II clinical trial endpoints. | Cryopreservation, recovery, etc | TA2: Bioprocessing, TA1: BioPrep |
| Robert ietswaart | Aircyt, Inc. | robert.ietswaart@aircyt.com | Boston, MA | AI for Cell Therapy discovery and manufacturing optimization, including biopreservation. | Automated, high-throughput lab testing, manufacturing, and commercialization partners. | TA1: BioPrep, TA2: Bioprocessing |