# SBIR Phase II: Enzyme Stabilization via Immobilization for Advanced Chemical Manufacturing

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · CASCADE BIOCATALYSTS INC. (CO) · $1,250,000

## Abstract

The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project enables a lower cost and scalable solution for biomanufacturing using long-lasting and higher performing enzymes. This is done through a proprietary polymerization technique to create polymer brushes that stabilize enzymes as they are used to catalyze chemical processes. The chemicals industry relies heavily on inefficient processes often leading to offshoring of critical manufacturing. In contrast, biomanufacturing, which leverages nature’s machinery, efficiently produces a wide range of critical chemicals through the use of microbes or enzymes. While enzymes are used today, they are typically too short-lived and expensive. The proposed enzyme immobilization technology makes any enzyme stable and long lasting for industrial applications. This project will address challenges with increasing the batch size to 100kg and enable further interactions with customer enzyme processes. This work will also reduce the unit cost through process intensification and state-of-the-art process monitoring. Ultimately, this will increase the adoption of enzymes in multiple chemical processes, including pharmaceuticals and flavors and fragrances, and allow enzymes to gain more share of the $40 billion catalyst space. The innovation will contribute to the United States by on-shoring chemical production that left the U.S. due to high environmental costs, while strengthening supply chain resilience thro

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2507312
- **Awardee organization:** CASCADE BIOCATALYSTS INC. (CO)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** CTFCBZCWLE81
- **PI:** James Weltz
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Materials Engineering
- **Estimated total:** $1,250,000
- **Funds obligated:** $1,250,000
- **Transaction type:** Cooperative Agreement
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2027

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2507312

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2507312, SBIR Phase II: Enzyme Stabilization via Immobilization for Advanced Chemical Manufacturing. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2507312. Licensed CC0.

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