NIH-funded research Sbir 1 grant

A new inhaler for delivering anti-inflammatory medication to help manage pain in COPD patients

Official title: A Novel Aerosolization and Inhalation Platform for the Pulmonary Delivery of Anti-inflammatory Agents to Distal Airways for the Enhanced Pain Management in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Funded at Scientific Horizons Consulting LLC · NIH-11237357 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new, easy-to-use inhaler that delivers medicine directly to the deep parts of the lungs for people with COPD, aiming to help reduce inflammation and improve comfort.

More COPD research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionScientific Horizons Consulting LLC
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Irvine, UNITED STATES)
Project startSeptember 1, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$55,000
NIH project number3R43HL172316-01S1
Project IDNIH-11237357 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who experience pain associated with lung inflammation.

Less likely to help

Patients with COPD who do not experience significant pain or have contraindications to anti-inflammatory medications may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing an innovative inhalation device designed to deliver anti-inflammatory agents directly to the deep lungs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The device features a unique atomizer that generates ultrafine aerosol particles, ensuring effective medication delivery to hard-to-reach areas of the lungs. It is user-friendly, requiring minimal effort to use, and includes a patented dose algorithm for personalized treatment. The goal is to improve pain management by addressing inflammation in the distal airways, which is often a source of discomfort for COPD patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance pain management for COPD patients by providing more effective treatment options.

How similar studies have gone: Preliminary results from similar approaches have shown promise, indicating that targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory agents can improve patient outcomes.

Where this research is happening

  • Scientific Horizons Consulting LLC
    Irvine, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Gao, Xiang — Scientific Horizons Consulting LLC
  • Study coordinator: Gao, Xiang

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.