NIH-funded research Sbir 2 grant

A new medicine for severe breathing problems in ARDS

Official title: Novel therapeutic approach for severe ARDS with a potent pharmacologic allosteric hemoglobin modifier

Funded at Illexcor Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11145630 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This research is developing a new medicine to help patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) get enough oxygen.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIllexcor Therapeutics, LLC
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Richmond, United States)
Project startJanuary 1, 2021
Project endJune 30, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$798,351
NIH project number5R44HL156334-04
Project IDNIH-11145630 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

This research is focused on developing a treatment for individuals experiencing severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and profound hypoxemia.

Less likely to help

Patients with mild breathing issues or those whose respiratory failure is due to heart problems may not benefit from this specific approach.

What this research studies

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious condition where your lungs cannot provide enough oxygen to your body, leading to severe breathing difficulties. Current treatments, like extra oxygen and breathing machines, have limits and haven't significantly improved survival rates for many years. This project aims to create a new medication that works by helping your red blood cells carry and deliver oxygen more effectively to your tissues. The hope is that this new medicine could prevent critical organ damage and improve outcomes for those suffering from severe ARDS.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this new medication could significantly improve oxygen delivery to vital organs and reduce the high mortality rate associated with severe ARDS.

How similar studies have gone: Current supportive therapies for ARDS have not substantially improved mortality in decades, suggesting this novel pharmacologic approach is largely untested in this specific context.

Where this research is happening

  • Illexcor Therapeutics, LLC
    Richmond, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Light, David Richard — Illexcor Therapeutics, LLC
  • Study coordinator: Light, David Richard

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Coordinating ARDS, Pneumonia, and Sepsis research to improve care

    A national coordinating center helps researchers studying ARDS and related infections work together more efficiently to learn what helps patients recover.

    NIH research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Nashville, United States · NIH-11595454

  • Lipid-gene Profiles in Septic ARDS

    A Mayo Clinic team is studying how dysfunctional HDL in sepsis relates to different ARDS patient outcomes, aiming to find features that could guide better treatment.

    NIH research Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · Jacksonville, United States · NIH-11575353

  • Improving blood vessel repair after pediatric ARDS

    Aims to better repair the lungs of children who have ARDS by delivering targeted therapy to lung blood vessels using tiny nanoparticles.

    NIH research University of Arizona · Tucson, United States · NIH-11444432

  • NOX4 links to ARDS risk and progression

    Aims to understand how NOX4-driven cell damage may make some adults with ARDS worse off and how this could lead to earlier, targeted care.

    NIH research Marquette University · Milwaukee, United States · NIH-11444021

  • Leading causes of death in alcoholic ARDS patients using clinical data

    This project uses big clinical data and AI to find the main factors that cause death in adults with ARDS who have alcohol use issues, aiming to improve understanding and care.

    NIH research Loyola University Chicago · Maywood, United States · NIH-11442761

  • Targeting aging-related blood vessel injury to prevent ARDS in older lungs

    Aims to find ways to protect lung blood vessels in older adults to prevent dangerous lung swelling (ARDS).

    NIH research Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · Chicago, United States · NIH-11431171

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.