A new pill to help older adults rebuild muscle quickly after injuries
Official title: Cardiovascular Safety and Scalable Manufacturing for Investigational New Drug Filing of a Novel Oral Drug to Accelerate Musculoskeletal Recovery in Older Adults
Funded at Ridgeline Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-11405594 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small-molecule drug taken by mouth in older adults aims to speed up muscle healing after injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ridgeline Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 23, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,117,233 |
| NIH project number | 1R44AG102216-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405594 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 and older who have recently sustained musculoskeletal injuries and are eligible for early-stage clinical testing.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience meaningful improvement or could have side effects from the drug.
What this research studies
This project focuses on an aging population and tests a safe, easy-to-take medicine that targets muscle aging to help injured muscles repair faster. Researchers are studying how the drug blocks a specific enzyme (NNMT) that contributes to weaker muscles, with the goal of restoring strength and function. The study uses preclinical data and plans to move toward human testing to see if older adults recover more quickly after injuries. If successful, it could complement physical therapy and improve independence for many seniors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the drug could speed recovery from injuries and help older adults regain strength and mobility more quickly.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in aging muscle suggests targeting NNMT could improve muscle regeneration, with ongoing efforts exploring similar approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Ridgeline Therapeutics, INC.
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neelakantan, Harshini — Ridgeline Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Neelakantan, Harshini
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.