NIH-funded research Sbir 2 grant

A new treatment for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis using a bispecific antibody.

Official title: A Novel Bispecific Antibody for the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Funded at Virtici, LLC · NIH-11116876 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new treatment called VTC-890 that aims to help people with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis by blocking two proteins that cause lung scarring, with the hope of improving their breathing and overall health.

More Fibrosis research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVirtici, LLC
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, UNITED STATES)
Project startApril 1, 2022
Project endMarch 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$999,989
NIH project number5R44HL164202-04
Project IDNIH-11116876 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis who are experiencing declining lung function.

Less likely to help

Patients with other forms of lung disease or those who do not have a diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a bispecific antibody called VTC-890 that targets two inflammatory proteins involved in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). By blocking these proteins, the treatment aims to reduce lung tissue scarring and improve lung function in patients suffering from this chronic disease. The approach is based on understanding the complex interactions of cytokines that contribute to the progression of IPF. Patients may be monitored for changes in lung function and overall health as part of the treatment process.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new therapeutic option that significantly slows the progression of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in antifibrotic treatments for IPF, the specific approach of using a bispecific antibody like VTC-890 is novel and has not been extensively tested in this context.

Where this research is happening

  • Virtici, LLC
    Seattle, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Fanger, Neil a — Virtici, LLC
  • Study coordinator: Fanger, Neil a

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Repurposing Pyrvinium as an Inhaled Therapy for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

    A patient-friendly look at a project trying to use an existing drug, pyrvinium, as an inhaled treatment option for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

    NIH research Oleolive, INC. · Shreveport, United States · NIH-11550918

  • Screening new compounds to reverse gene signatures in IPF lungs

    A researcher hopes to find compounds that reverse harmful gene changes in the lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

    NIH research Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · East Lansing, United States · NIH-11494256

  • Unraveling IPF subtypes to guide prognosis and therapy

    This grant aims to identify different IPF subtypes in the lung to improve how we predict outcomes and tailor treatments for people with IPF.

    NIH research University of Kansas Medical Center · Kansas City, United States · NIH-11411171

  • Novel antibody therapy to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

    A small business gig is developing a targeted antibody drug (VSR-H5) to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in patients, aiming for better safety and effectiveness than current medicines.

    NIH research Vasarya Therapeutics, INC. · Camden, United States · NIH-11382077

  • Repurposing Vonoprazan as an inhaled therapy for IPF

    A high-profile NIH grant is testing whether an existing drug, vonoprazan, can be inhaled to slow or reverse lung fibrosis in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

    NIH research Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · East Lansing, United States · NIH-11366024

  • Proteomic profile of IPF progression to help tailor treatments

    A study will look for blood protein patterns that predict how IPF lung disease will progress in patients.

    NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11365030

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.