A-State Alumni and Biotech Leaders Secure $3 Million NIH Phase II Grant to Advance Life-Saving Research

10/27/2025

JONESBORO - Arkansas State University is celebrating a major milestone achieved by alumni Dr. Walter Acosta ('12, Ph.D. in molecular biosciences), chief scientific officer; and Dr. Tianhong Yang ('16, Ph.D. in molecular biosciences), senior scientist; both of SylamoreBio, as the company was recently awarded a highly competitive $3 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Acosta and Yang serve as principal investigators on the grant, further highlighting the impact of A-State's molecular biosciences program in advancing life-saving research.

The grant supports SylamoreBio's cutting-edge pre-clinical research to develop a therapeutic for GM1 gangliosidosis, a rare, fatal, neurodegenerative disease. This research is being conducted on the A-State campus at the Catalyst Innovation Center, a life sciences-focused business incubator housed within the Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) building.

Dr. Walter Acosta and Dr. Tianhong Yang of SylamoreBio, recipient of a phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant.

"This is a profound success story that highlights the direct value of A-State's investment in both people and infrastructure," said Dr. Todd Shields, chancellor of Arkansas State University. "Dr. Acosta's journey - from Ph.D. student to chief scientific officer of a company developing life-saving therapies in a facility on our campus - is a testament to the quality of our molecular biosciences program and the vision of the ABI. We are incredibly proud of Dr. Acosta and the entire SylamoreBio team."

SylamoreBio is leveraging its proprietary SyLEC delivery system, designed to transport therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier, a significant challenge in treating neurological disorders. The company's on-campus presence reinforces A-State's mission to foster economic development and innovation in the Delta region.

The company also has deep roots in A-State's research community. SylamoreBio was co-founded by Dr. Carole Cramer, professor emeritus of biological sciences and former executive director of the ABI, who was Acosta's faculty mentor during his time at A-State. Cramer serves as the company's president and founder.

With 12 employees and a growing team, SylamoreBio is helping to create and sustain high-tech jobs in the Arkansas Delta. Support from federal grants such as the NIH SBIR award, along with SBIR Matching Grants from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, enables the company to advance innovative research while contributing to the region's economic development.

"The success of SylamoreBio, led by a A-State alumni and former faculty members, demonstrates the critical role our research ecosystem plays in moving basic science from the lab bench to the marketplace," said Dr. Travis Marsico, vice provost for research, innovation, and discovery and executive director of the ABI. "Having a company working on such high-impact, federally funded research here at the Catalyst Innovation Center is exactly what the ABI was designed to achieve."

The $3 million Phase II SBIR grant will accelerate SylamoreBio's pre-clinical efforts, bringing a much-needed potential treatment closer to reality for patients and families affected by GM1 gangliosidosis.

About SylamoreBio

SylamoreBio is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for hard-to-treat diseases using its proprietary SyLEC delivery system. The company is committed to advancing innovative solutions to address high-impact medical challenges.

About Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University (A-State) is a public research institution, "Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production," by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. A-State is thriving, and it just welcomed its largest freshman class in history. The opportunity for students to participate in research with faculty members and as employees of biotech start-up companies like SylamoreBio makes A-State's emphasis on experiential learning a reality for the future skilled STEM workforce in our region. The A-State ABI is a hub of research and innovation that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries and promotes collaboration.