I-Corps alum and University at Buffalo researcher Anna Blumental-Perry is advancing a novel therapeutic designed to rebuild damaged lung cells, a breakthrough that could significantly improve treatment for chronic respiratory diseases, after being awarded $50,000 in seed funding from the SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund.
In June 2025, Blumental-Perry completed the BIO I-Corps conference course hosted by IN I-Corps partners University at Buffalo and University of Pittsburgh. At the BIO International Convention in Boston, she interviewed 27 potential customers for her technology.
Blumenthal-Perry is developing a new technology to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening condition where lung swelling causes fluid buildup in the alveoli. Jumpstart, an RNA-based medication that protects lung cells through improved mitochondrial function, goes beyond existing supportive care for ARDS and supplies a targeted treatment to improve outcomes for patients.
The project itself, “Therapeutic Enhancement of a Novel Pathway Promoting Mitochondrial Health,” demonstrated that the medication can be delivered via lipid nanoparticles, which restructure lung cells through naturally occurring signaling systems to enhance cell survival by increasing energy production.
Blumental-Perry’s work during the BIO I-Corps course allowed her to gain critical customer and market insights that helped her translate a promising scientific discovery into a viable therapeutic innovation for ARDS patients — demonstrating how I-Corps equips researchers to move ideas from the lab toward real-world impact.