NIH Grants $2.25M to Tempo Therapeutics for Innovative Wound Healing Study

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically its National Cancer Institute (NCI), has awarded Tempo Therapeutics $2.25 million through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This grant, announced on September 23, 2026, will enable Tempo to conduct a randomized clinical study evaluating their novel MAP™ Wound Matrix technology, specifically targeting complex wounds typically encountered after non-melanoma skin cancer resections. The MAP technology aims to enhance the healing process by promoting healthy tissue regeneration and mitigating the inflammatory response that often complicates healing for patients undergoing such procedures.

Within the context of modern healthcare innovation, this grant marks a significant investment by the federal government in biomedical technologies designed to address unresolved challenges in wound management. The MAP™ technology is particularly noteworthy due to its potential to shift treatment paradigms for difficult wounds where traditional methods have fallen short. According to Steven Sands, Chairman of Tempo Therapeutics, this grant brings them closer to an important milestone that could provide a fundamentally different approach to wound management, emphasizing the necessity for healthcare contractors to pay attention to such emerging technologies that promise to transform treatment protocols.

Tempo's MAP™ technology, which is designed to accelerate the formation of healthy and vascularized tissue, represents a significant advancement in regenerative medicine. Unlike conventional materials that may provoke persistent foreign-body responses, MAP is engineered to integrate seamlessly with the body's own regenerative processes. This approach could not only improve outcomes for patients but also reduce the clinical burdens and costs associated with managing complex wounds, as noted by Stephanie Deshayes, Ph.D. and Vice President of Research & Development at Tempo.

As the MOSAIC II study progresses, it is vital for procurement professionals and contractors in the biomedical field to monitor advances in clinical validation and outcomes of MAP technology. Success in clinical trials can lead to increased opportunities for procurement and partnership engagements with federal health agencies seeking to enhance their treatment capabilities in wound care. Additionally, this award reflects a broader commitment by the NIH to stimulate innovation through funding small businesses that prioritize the development of cutting-edge healthcare solutions.

The emphasis on promoting innovative solutions underscores significant opportunities for collaboration or subcontracting within the biomedical community. As the MAP™ technology advances through clinical stages, companies involved in medical device development and regenerative medicine can evaluate potential partnerships with Tempo Therapeutics.