A lab-made klotho-like protein to protect kidneys and the heart
Design of a bioactive mimetic of soluble klotho for the treatment of chronic kidney disease
A lab-made klotho-like protein aimed at helping people with chronic kidney disease lower harmful phosphate and protect the heart.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Alpha Young LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jupiter, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123306 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is designing a stable, bioactive copy of soluble klotho that can circulate in the blood longer than the natural protein. Scientists will create candidate molecules in the lab, test how they bind to relevant receptors, and measure effects on phosphate handling and tissue markers. The team will run experiments in cell systems and animal models to check safety, stability, and whether the mimetic reduces kidney and heart damage. The goal is to develop a treatment that could move toward human testing if preclinical results are promising.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic kidney disease—especially those with high phosphate or elevated FGF23 and at risk for cardiovascular complications—would be the most likely future candidates for trials of this approach.
Not a fit: Patients with mild CKD without phosphate abnormalities or those whose kidney disease is driven by unrelated causes may not benefit from this treatment approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the mimetic could lower harmful phosphate levels and reduce cardiovascular and kidney damage in people with CKD.
How similar studies have performed: Increasing klotho levels has helped animals in prior studies, but creating a long-lasting klotho mimetic is a novel approach that has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Jupiter, UNITED STATES
- Alpha Young LLC — Jupiter, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yanucil, Christopher — Alpha Young LLC
- Study coordinator: Yanucil, Christopher
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.