Worcester , Mass. Crescent Innovations Inc., a biomedical company with operations in Worcester , MA, received a Notice of Allowance of a $100,000 Phase 1 SBIR grant from the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. These funds will allow the company to develop a new treatment for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, or TMJ.

According to Al Prescott, President of Crescent Innovations and a graduate of both Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the University of Massachusetts, over 7 million Americans suffer from chronic jaw pain associated with TMJ disorders. “Many of these patients are able to manage their pain via over the counter drugs, but just as many are not,” stated Prescott . “Out of desperation many of these patients will resort to facial surgery. Our goal is to develop a non-surgical injection to help doctors and patients manage this pain.”

Crescent Innovations first presented this idea for treating TMJ disorders at the WPI Venture Forum. Crescent Innovations was subsequently a finalist in the WPI Venture Forum’s Business Plan Contest in 2001. Crescent Innovations is scheduled to complete this Phase 1 Grant over the next several months. Depending on the outcome of the work, Crescent Innovations could be eligible for a Phase 2 grant worth over $750,000.