ClearSight Therapeutics Receives NIH SBIR Phase I Award for Conjunctivitis and EKC Research

Sep 22, 2026

Competitive National Eye Institute funding provides external validation of ClearSight's proposed scientific program and supports a one-year investigation of a preservative-free ophthalmic formulation in acute infectious conjunctivitis and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.

DALLAS - Sept. 22, 2026 - PRLog -- ClearSight Therapeutics, Inc. Receives NIH SBIR Phase I Award for Research in Acute Infectious Conjunctivitis and EKC

Competitive federal award provides external scientific validation of the proposed research program and funds a disciplined path to new evidence

DALLAS, September 22nd, 2026 - ClearSight Therapeutics, Inc., a Dallas-based eye-care company, today announced that it has received a $306,852 Small Business Innovation Research Phase I award from the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. The competitive award marks a major scientific milestone for ClearSight and supports a one-year investigational research program involving a preservative-free ophthalmic formulation in acute infectious conjunctivitis and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.

The project, award number R43EY039140, runs from September 15, 2026 through August 31, 2027. ClearSight Chief Scientific Officer Nuria Jimenez, PhD, PMP, will serve as principal investigator. The Notice of Award identifies the project as research and development and states that it does not support an NIH-defined clinical trial.

Why this award matters

NIH funding decisions follow rigorous peer review of scientific and technical merit and a second-level assessment of mission relevance. Reviewers consider the importance of the proposed research, the rigor and feasibility of the approach, and whether the investigators and organization have the expertise and resources to carry out the work. For ClearSight, the award provides meaningful external validation of the proposed scientific program and creates an accountable path for turning a promising research premise into credible evidence. It does not predetermine the results; it makes the disciplined work to generate those results possible.

"This award is a defining milestone for ClearSight. Following competitive review of the scientific and technical merit of our proposed work, NIH support gives us both meaningful external validation and non-dilutive capital to build the evidence base with rigor. It is a powerful vote of confidence in the importance of the question, the strength of the research plan, and our team's ability to execute."

Patrick Smale, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer

"The questions at the center of this program matter to patients, clinicians, and the broader eye-care community. NIH support gives us the opportunity to investigate them with the rigor they deserve, generate credible data, and let the evidence guide what comes next. I am proud to lead this work alongside our team and collaborators."

Nuria Jimenez, PhD, PMP, Chief Scientific Officer and Principal Investigator

"I am excited and grateful for this initial support from the National Eye Institute, which represents an important step in advancing our innovation toward clinical development. This funding will enable us to generate the rigorous data needed to further validate the technology and its potential to address important unmet needs in topical ocular therapy. As a co-inventor and drug developer, I am particularly encouraged by the opportunity to translate this innovation into a product where patient safety, efficacy, and meaningful clinical benefit remain our highest priorities."

Suchismita Acharya, PhD, Co-Founder, Co-Inventor and Board Member

The SBIR program supports research and development by eligible small businesses. Beyond providing non-dilutive capital, the award gives ClearSight a structured milestone period through August 2027 and an accountable framework for translating a scientific premise into data. The work will proceed under a defined research plan, milestones, and federal reporting obligations.

Important regulatory context

ClearSight's NIH-funded research program will study preservative-free ophthalmic formulation in acute infectious conjunctivitis and EKC. This investigational research is separate from the labeled uses of any OTC lubricant eye drop marketed under M018 and does not establish safety, efficacy, or regulatory approval for treating either condition.

About ClearSight Therapeutics


ClearSight Therapeutics is a Dallas-based eye-care company founded in 2023 by industry veterans to develop accessible solutions for common ocular conditions. The company maintains distinct commercial and research programs, including OTC lubricant development under applicable monograph labeling and separately described investigational research. Learn more at clearsighttx.com.

NIH funding acknowledgment

Research reported in this release is supported by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R43EY039140. A total of $306,852, or 100% of the project, is financed with federal funds. A total of $0, or 0%, is financed with non-governmental funds. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Media contact

Patrick Smale
Co-founder & CEO
ClearSight Therapeutics
[email protected]
972-983-7761

Contact
Patrick Smale
***@clearsighttx.com

Photos: (Click photo to enlarge)




Source: ClearSight Therapeutics, Inc.

Read Full Story - ClearSight Therapeutics Receives NIH SBIR Phase I Award for Conjunctivitis and EKC Research | More news from this source

Press release distribution by PRLog

More News

Senate measure removing system loss charges reaches plenary
Sep 22, 2026
Senate measure removing system loss charges reaches plenary

MANILA, Philippines — The bill seeking to remove system loss costs incurred by electric providers to consumers reached the Senate floor on Tuesday. Sen. Erwin Tulfo stood before the plenary to sponsor Senate Bill No. 2486, otherwise known as the “Systems Loss Charge Removal Act.” READ: Sona promise: Lower power bills as VAT on system

Gov’t eyes P4.05B for 5 Metro Manila rain catchment facilities
Sep 22, 2026
Gov’t eyes P4.05B for 5 Metro Manila rain catchment facilities

MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration needs more than P4 billion to construct five of the 39 proposed rainwater impounding facilities in Metro Manila to address the perennial flooding problem in Metro Manila. The five projects have a combined indicative cost of about P4.05 billion, subject to the applicable government review, approval, budgeting and procurement processes,

Dy to QC barangay execs: Keep up ‘honest, responsive’ service
Sep 22, 2026
Dy to QC barangay execs: Keep up ‘honest, responsive’ service

MANILA, Philippines — Since the success of Quezon City, Metro Manila’s largest local government unit, relies on strong barangays, its officials should keep strengthening their communities through “honest, responsive, and compassionate leadership.” House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” stressed that message in his address on Monday evening during the 31st Quezon City Barangay Day Celebration at the Grand

CICC gives Reddit, Discord 24 hours to establish PH offices
Sep 22, 2026
CICC gives Reddit, Discord 24 hours to establish PH offices

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has given Reddit and Discord 24 hours to establish offices or designate local representatives in the Philippines, as the government moves to strengthen coordination with digital platforms following three school shooting incidents in recent months.

DepEd thanks House for approving P975.96-B budget for 2027
Sep 22, 2026
DepEd thanks House for approving P975.96-B budget for 2027

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) thanked the House of Representatives for approving its proposed P975.96 billion budget for 2027, which accounts for 13.55 percent of the P7.2-trillion national budget. “We deeply appreciate the House of Representatives’ strong commitment to education and the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in advancing the

Cayetano accuses PRA of ‘selective justice’ on reclamation rules
Sep 22, 2026
Cayetano accuses PRA of ‘selective justice’ on reclamation rules

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano accused the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) of “selective justice” in enforcing rules on reclamation projects. He questioned why the PRA issued a cease-and-desist order against a project in Taguig but not the Laguna Lake Shore Road Network (LLRN). “Ongoing now is a massive [Department of Public Works and

Lian, Batangas launches training to promote ‘balsa’ tourism
Sep 22, 2026
Lian, Batangas launches training to promote ‘balsa’ tourism

LUCENA CITY — The iconic floating bamboo rafts, or “balsa,” of Lian town in Batangas, are being developed as a local tourist attraction through a sustainable tourism training program launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT)  in Region IV-A and the municipal government. The “Sustainable Balsa Tourism Development” training program, which runs from Sept. 21

Ombudsman’s ‘ghost internet’ probe zeroes in on DICT
Sep 22, 2026
Ombudsman’s ‘ghost internet’ probe zeroes in on DICT

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman said their fact-finding probe on the so-called “ghost internet” in the government free WiFi program will center around the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).  DICT, for its part, said it welcomes the anti-graft body’s inquiry, noting that it maintains a policy of zero tolerance against

Dy: Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato brought caring doctor’s perspective to House
Sep 22, 2026
Dy: Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato brought caring doctor’s perspective to House

MANILA, Philippines — The late Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato was able to leave a positive impact on legislation as he brought to the House of Representatives a perspective that comes from a caring physician. House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III made the statement on Tuesday as the chamber condoles with the family of Gato, who died

Calumpit residents march in transparency call amid flood, corruption
Sep 22, 2026
Calumpit residents march in transparency call amid flood, corruption

CALUMPIT, Bulacan — Residents of this flood-prone Bulacan town marched in the streets over the weekend to demand full transparency as public works crews proceed with flood control infrastructure that were tied to anomalies last year.  Zul Kifli Magat, spokesperson of the movement Tindig Calumpitenyo, led a 1,500-strong rally on Sunday (September 20); marking the

Agusan solon pushes national soil strategy through SUCs
Sep 22, 2026
Agusan solon pushes national soil strategy through SUCs

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Agusan del Sur 2nd District Rep. Adolph Edward Plaza is pushing for a nationwide soil strategy to boost agriculture through state universities and colleges (SUCs). Plaza brought together agriculture officials, scientists, and academic leaders at the Batasang Pambansa complex on Tuesday to explore a collaborative framework that would link

Bukidnon cops intensify school security in aftermath of shootings
Sep 22, 2026
Bukidnon cops intensify school security in aftermath of shootings

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Security measures have been heightened across schools in Bukidnon’s 20 municipalities and two cities following a recent shooting rampage in South Cotabato that left three dead and six injured. Capt. Shiela Joy Jangad, Bukidnon Provincial Police Office spokesperson, told the Inquirer on Tuesday afternoon that police increased visibility in various campuses.

YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.

Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?

Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.

Voice of KL

We may be unheard, but things are different now. Voice of KL represents the voice of Malaysians who want you to discover the beautiful and developed city of Malaysia.