A new oral treatment to prevent and reverse muscle loss in older adults
Official title: A Novel Small Molecule Oral Therapeutic to Prevent and Reverse Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Aging Adults
Funded at Ridgeline Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-10761425 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new oral medication designed to help older adults keep their muscles strong and healthy, especially if they’ve been less active due to things like being in bed or not moving much.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ridgeline Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $322,432 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AG084460-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10761425 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are experiencing muscle atrophy due to disuse, such as those recovering from injuries or prolonged periods of inactivity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing muscle atrophy or those with muscle loss due to other underlying medical conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a small-molecule oral therapeutic aimed at preventing and reversing muscle atrophy in aging adults, particularly those who experience limited muscle use due to conditions like immobilization or bed rest. The approach involves inhibiting an enzyme called nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), which plays a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism. By targeting this enzyme, the treatment aims to enhance muscle regeneration and repair, potentially improving strength and function in older adults. The clinical candidate, RT-002, is currently in preclinical studies, with plans for Phase 1 clinical trials starting soon.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel treatment option that helps aging adults maintain muscle mass and function, improving their overall health and independence.
How similar studies have gone: While there are ongoing developments in pharmaceutical interventions for muscle loss, this specific approach targeting NNMT is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Ridgeline Therapeutics, LLC
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wiley, Andrea Leah — Ridgeline Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Wiley, Andrea Leah
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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.