The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission announced 38 new awards totaling more than $12.6 million through the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) to support stem cell and regenerative medicine research, technology development, commercialization, and clinical advancement across Maryland.
The funding will support academic researchers and biotechnology companies working on therapies and technologies targeting 32 diseases and medical conditions, including diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, sickle cell disease, chronic pain, and cardiovascular, neurological, digestive, bone, and blood disorders.
The awards were distributed through MSCRF’s Discovery, Fellowship, Launch, Validation, Commercialization, and Clinical programs, supporting projects from early-stage research through commercialization and clinical translation.
Recipients include institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, the University of Maryland, College Park, the Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, and the Lieber Institute for Brain Development. Company recipients include Theradaptive, Caleo Biotechnologies, Mirecule, SereNeuro Therapeutics, Reprocell USA, NuGate Therapeutics, and Lentigen Technology.
The Commission also announced the opening of applications for five grant programs for fiscal year 2027. Applications for the Launch, Validation, Clinical, Commercialization, and Manufacturing Assistance programs are due June 23, 2026.
Since being established under the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006, MSCRF has supported more than 750 research and commercialization projects with nearly $250 million in funding.
KEY QUOTES:
“This funding cycle reflects the breadth and maturity of Maryland’s regenerative medicine pipeline — from bold early-stage science to companies preparing technologies for clinical and commercial advancement. MSCRF’s role is not only to fund promising research, but to help create the conditions for discoveries to become therapies, technologies and companies that can grow here in Maryland and ultimately benefit patients.”
Ruchika Nijhara, Ph.D., Executive Director, MSCRF
“The Commission is proud to support a portfolio of projects that reflects both scientific excellence and real translational promise. At a time when research funding is increasingly competitive, Maryland’s sustained commitment to stem cell and regenerative medicine is especially important. These awards help ensure that high-impact ideas have a pathway forward.”
Rachel Brewster, Ph.D., Chair, Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission
