Beken Bio awarded SBIR Phase II grant to advance ovarian cancer detection technology

Written By Alicia Vial

Federal funding builds on company’s Phase I research and supports continued development of innovative blood test

NEW ORLEANS – Beken Bio, a biotechnology company focused on early cancer detection and located at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC), has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF.) The highly competitive grant is one of roughly 80 Phase II awards NSF makes annually nationwide and accelerate development of Beken Bio’s novel ovarian cancer liquid biopsy test.

The $1.25 million grant builds on Beken Bio’s successful SBIR Phase I award and represents an important next step in the development and validation of the company’s diagnostic technology. The Phase II award will fund the clinical validation of Beken Bio's ovarian cancer blood test through a prospective multi-center study enrolling women undergoing evaluation for pelvic masses at hospitals across New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport. The project will also support health economics and reimbursement planning with healthcare providers and payers and will enable preliminary development of the company's second diagnostic program focused on early detection of lung cancer.

Beken Bio is developing a liquid biopsy that uses a simple blood test to identify extracellular vesicles – tiny cancer-related particles that can appear in the bloodstream. The technology is designed to detect ovarian cancer earlier and in a less invasive way than current diagnostic approaches.

"This award represents an inflection point for Beken Bio," said Christopher Millan, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO. "Over the past several years we've built the scientific foundation for our ovarian cancer detection platform. Phase II funding allows us to put that technology to the test in real patients across Louisiana, work toward reimbursement and commercialization, and begin expanding our platform to a second indication in lung cancer. It's an exciting step toward building a company that can fundamentally change how cancers are detected."

Beken Bio’s work addresses a major unmet need in gynecologic oncology: accurately distinguishing malignant from benign ovarian masses before surgery. The company’s technology seeks to provide objective molecular information about the signs of cancer ensuring patients at highest risk for ovarian cancer reach specialist care promptly.

The Phase II award also marks continued growth for Beken Bio in New Orleans. The company recently expanded its NOBIC laboratory operations to support its clinical and commercial development. The lab is designed to support regulatory and operational milestones as Beken Bio works toward commercialization of its first diagnostic product.

“Going from an SBIR Phase I to a Phase II award is one of the strongest validations an early-stage biotech can earn,” said Kris Khalil, executive director of NOBIC. “Beken Bio is an example of rigorous science advancing toward patients who need it. We’re proud that the clinical validation across Louisiana will be anchored in the company’s lab at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center. With support from BioDistrict New Orleans, we’re expanding NOBIC’s SBIR and STTR assistance so more Louisiana companies can strategically compete for and win this kind of critical federal support.”

Beken Bio combines nanobiology with machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop new approaches to early cancer detection. By targeting abundant biomarkers in the body, the company aims to identify cancer earlier and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.

For more information on Beken Bio and their work click here. For more information on NOBIC visit here.

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About Beken Bio:
Beken Bio is a company passionate about helping to save lives and exploring new horizons of nanobiology in conjunction with state-of-the-art machine learning AI. Its mission is to unlock the key to early cancer detection.  By targeting the body’s most abundant biomarkers, Beken Bio can shift the narrative of when cancer is detected and reduce its impact on a global scale.

About NOBIC:
The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) is a nonprofit business incubator focused on advancing life science entrepreneurship and technology commercialization in Louisiana. The mission of NOBIC is to create a successful biotech ecosystem by providing emerging companies with customized commercialization services, premier facilities, and a comprehensive support network. Through

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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