A new oral medication to reduce inflammation in the gut
Official title: A novel, pleiotropic oral drug class that inhibits gut migration of activated T cells
Funded at Orphagen Pharmaceuticals · NIH-10823015 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new oral medication designed to help people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by stopping certain immune cells from causing inflammation in the gut, and it’s currently being tested in mice to see how well it works and if it’s safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Orphagen Pharmaceuticals NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,078,081 |
| NIH project number | 1R44DK136458-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10823015 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease who have not responded adequately to existing therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild gastrointestinal issues or those who do not have inflammatory bowel disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel oral medication that targets inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by inhibiting specific receptors involved in T cell activation and migration to the gut. The approach involves using small molecule antagonists to block the retinoic acid receptor-alpha, which is crucial for the gut homing of inflammatory T cells. By preventing these cells from accumulating in the gut, the medication aims to improve gut health and reduce inflammation. The research includes preclinical testing in mouse models to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the new drug.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, potentially improving their quality of life and reducing symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting gut homing receptors for IBD treatment, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Orphagen Pharmaceuticals
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thacher, Scott Mcnear — Orphagen Pharmaceuticals
- Study coordinator: Thacher, Scott Mcnear
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.