Our work / HaloVax
Phase I and II SBIR awarded
Engineering a Materials-Enabled Vaccine Delivery Platform Through SBIR
- CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
- materials science
- SBIR CONCEPT
Written by Onega Ulanova, IRCA Lead Auditor, MS Eng. & Tech. Management, Executive MBA
Co-Founder, Quality Management Executive & Lead Auditor
Updated August 31, 2026
Project at a glance
- Client
- HaloVax, with Grapheno — SBIR-funded program
- Category
- Life sciences / vaccine delivery platform
- Starting point
- Advanced materials science with no engineerable delivery platform
- What we delivered
- Engineering translation of the materials concept, platform architecture, feasibility and testability planning, SBIR-ready technical package
- Key constraints
- Sustained and controlled release, stability outside cold chain, deployability in defense and global-health field conditions
- Outcome
- A technically feasible delivery platform positioned for evaluation, testing and scale-up
The client
Grapheno engaged LA New Product Development Team at a very early stage, during the formulation of an SBIR proposal for HaloVax. At that point, the project required more than biological insight, it required a technically feasible, engineerable platform that could be evaluated, tested, and scaled.
HaloVax demanded a rare combination of capabilities:
- Materials science and nanomaterials expertise
- Mechanical and system-level engineering
- Biomedical laboratory infrastructure and hands-on experimentation
- A development plan credible to SBIR reviewers
LA NPDT provided this interdisciplinary foundation, enabling HaloVax to move from a promising concept to a competitive SBIR candidate.
The challenge
Modern vaccines face challenges that extend well beyond antigen selection. Stability, dosing efficiency, controlled release, cold-chain dependence, and operational deployment all directly affect real-world effectiveness.
These challenges become even more critical in defense, biodefense, and global health contexts, where logistics, durability, and reliability are as important as immunogenicity.
HaloVax was conceived to address these challenges through a materials-enabled vaccine delivery platform, designed to support sustained and controlled release while improving robustness and deployability in demanding environments.
Our solution
LA NPDT played a central role in developing the technical feasibility of the HaloVax platform, particularly where material science, mechanical considerations, and biomedical requirements intersected.
Our contributions included:
- Engineering support for material handling and formulation concepts
- Materials science expertise related to carrier systems and controlled release
- Design and use of custom lab setups and experimental fixtures
- Hands-on laboratory work supporting feasibility validation
These efforts were critical in transforming HaloVax from a conceptual delivery idea into a platform that could be practically tested and evaluated.
Executing Phase I and Building the Case for Phase II
LA NPDT’s involvement extended beyond proposal support into active execution of Phase I. Our team contributed to experimental work, validation efforts, and technical milestones required by the SBIR program.
The successful completion of Phase I demonstrated that the HaloVax platform was viable, scalable, and worthy of continued investment. This execution directly supported the Phase II SBIR award, allowing the program to advance into deeper development and validation.
A Rare Combination of Capabilities Under One Roof
HaloVax required a partner capable of operating at the intersection of engineering, materials science, and biomedical development. LA NPDT’s integrated infrastructure made it possible to conduct work that would otherwise require coordination across multiple specialized organizations.
By providing:
- Engineering design and prototyping capability
- Materials and nanomaterials expertise
- Biomedical laboratory resources
LA NPDT reduced technical risk, accelerated development timelines, and simplified execution for the HaloVax team.
Services provided for HaloVax
- 01
SBIR Concept Development & Technical Framing
Supported early SBIR concept formulation with a technically feasible, engineerable platform narrative. - 02
Materials Science & Nanomaterials Support
Provided expertise and hands-on work related to carrier materials, loading strategies, and controlled release concepts. - 03
Engineering Design & Prototyping
Supported mechanical and system-level considerations required to translate materials into a usable delivery platform. - 04
Laboratory & Experimental Support
Conducted and supported lab work essential for feasibility demonstration and validation. - 05
Phase I Execution Support
Contributed directly to technical milestones, testing, and deliverables during Phase I. - 06
Phase II Transition & Continuity
Supported the technical execution record and continuity required for Phase II award and progression. - 07
The result
HaloVax demonstrates how interdisciplinary engineering and materials expertise can accelerate biomedical innovation within the SBIR framework.
By supporting both concept development and execution, LA NPDT helped transform a complex, high-risk idea into a funded, advancing program. For Grapheno, HaloVax represents a scalable vaccine delivery platform with relevance to defense, biodefense, and public health applications.
For LA NPDT, the project reinforces our role as a trusted SBIR partner, capable of supporting technically demanding biomedical programs from early feasibility through funded execution.
A Proven Partner for SBIR-Driven Biomedical Innovation
HaloVax joins Grapheno-1 and other SBIR programs as examples of how LA New Product Development Team helps companies move from concept to capability. Teams still preparing an application can start with our SBIR Phase I concept design and prototyping support.
If you are developing a materials-enabled or biomedical technology and need a partner who can support SBIR formulation, lab-scale feasibility, and execution, we are ready to help.
Related reading: what actually earned the Phase I to Phase II transition.
Capabilities used on this project
Concept design
Sketch exploration, form studies and CAD concepts that turn an idea into a buildable direction.
Rapid prototyping services
3D printing, CNC machining, urethane casting and functional prototype builds with published materials, tolerances and lead times.
Industries this project belongs to
See how we approach development in each of these categories, and the other products we have taken from sketch to production there.
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