A new antibody treatment for acromegaly
Official title: A First-in-Class Therapeutic Antibody for Treatment of Acromegaly
Funded at Elixera, INC. · NIH-11182613 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A novel antibody medicine aims to lower excess growth hormone in adults with acromegaly to help control symptoms and complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Elixera, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Redwood City, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,059,814 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK126579-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11182613 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with acromegaly, particularly those whose pituitary tumor was not fully removed by surgery or who do not get good control from current medications, would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without acromegaly, those under age 21, or patients whose hormone levels are already well controlled with existing treatments are unlikely to benefit from this trial.
What this research studies
You would be offered a specially designed antibody that blocks growth hormone activity, developed by a biotech company after promising early tests. In Phase 1 this antibody showed strong ability to stop growth hormone effects, and this work will move the program forward toward testing dosing, safety, and how well it controls hormone levels in adults. The research is focused on people whose pituitary tumor surgery did not fully control their hormone overproduction or who need better long-term medical options. Participation would likely involve clinic visits for injections or blood tests to monitor hormone levels and side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide more reliable long-term control of growth hormone, reduce complications like diabetes and heart disease, and improve life expectancy for people with acromegaly.
How similar studies have gone: Some antibody therapies have worked for other hormonal conditions and this program showed a highly potent blocker in Phase 1, but this is a first-in-class approach for acromegaly and remains early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Elixera, INC.
Redwood City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zanghi, Adiba — Elixera, INC.
- Study coordinator: Zanghi, Adiba
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A new antibody treatment for acromegaly
This study is testing a new treatment for acromegaly that uses a special antibody to help control growth hormone levels, aiming to provide better long-term health for people with this condition.
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NTQ6179 tablets first-in-human test in healthy adults
This phase 1 study tests a single oral dose of NTQ6179 vs placebo in healthy adults to see if it is safe and how the body processes the drug.
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Test MAR002 for acromegaly in adults on or off medical therapy
This study tests whether subcutaneous MAR002 is safe and tolerable in adults with acromegaly, compared with a placebo, over 10 weeks.
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Octreotide SC Depot in Acromegaly: Real-World Safety and Effectiveness
This study follows people with acromegaly who are using octreotide subcutaneous depot to see how it works and how safe it is over up to two years in everyday clinical practice.
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MAR002 in healthy men
This trial tests whether a subcutaneous injection of MAR002 is safe and tolerable in healthy men aged 18 to 40.
-
Pasireotide LAR and bone health in adults with acromegaly
This study will test whether switching adults with uncontrolled acromegaly to pasireotide LAR changes bone turnover and the risk of vertebral fractures.
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.