P3ARL Tech Receives Sullivan Family Ideator Microgrant to Accelerate Customer Discovery

UMRF spinout receives award to advance commercialization of next-generation therapeutic aerosol delivery platform

P3ARL Tech, a University of Memphis Research Foundation (UMRF) spinout founded by Associate Professor Dr. Ranga Gopalakrishnan, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded a $2,500 Sullivan Family Ideator Microgrant to support expanded customer discovery for its emerging therapeutic aerosol delivery technology. The award was presented through the Mid-South Hub of the Sullivan Family Ideator Program, a seven-week innovation and entrepreneurship initiative that culminates in startup teams pitching their concepts to a panel of industry experts.

Dr. Gopalakrishnan’s team—supported by mentor Dr. Todd Boyce—conducted extensive interviews with pulmonologists and clinical researchers to identify key challenges in current respiratory drug-delivery methods. Their strong customer-discovery insights and clear alignment between clinical needs and the proposed technology earned P3ARL Tech the competitive microgrant.

Recently incorporated, P3ARL Tech aims to commercialize an ultrasonic powder dispersion platform developed in Dr. Gopalakrishnan’s university research lab. The technology is designed to deliver large, consistent doses of therapeutics—such as antibiotics, cancer medications, and lung surfactants—without the need for sterile water, cold storage, or lengthy treatment times. By eliminating these barriers, the platform seeks to make respiratory therapies simpler, safer, and more affordable for patients and healthcare providers.

With the microgrant award and acceptance into the National Science Foundation’s I-CORPS program, P3ARL Tech is accelerating its market validation and exploring additional opportunities to finance and scale its drug-delivery innovations. The company’s work has the potential to reshape respiratory care by offering viable dry-powder delivery options where few currently exist, representing an important step toward improving patient outcomes and addressing unmet clinical needs.

For more information, contact Gopalakrishnan at rgplkrsh@memphis.edu or ranga.gopalakrishnan@p3arltech.com.