A pill to stop red blood cells from sickling in sickle cell disease
Official title: Rapid Development of a Lead Aromatic Aldehyde Derivative with both Oxygen Dependent and Novel, Oxygen Independent Anti-Sickling Effects: Building on a Paradigm Shift in Sickle Cell Disease Therapy
Funded at Illexcor Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11163531 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new oral medicine aims to keep red blood cells from sickling for people with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Illexcor Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $529,259 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HL154864-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11163531 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with sickle cell disease, especially those who continue to have anemia or painful vaso‑occlusive crises despite current treatments, would be the intended candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without sickle cell disease or those already cured by bone marrow transplant are unlikely to benefit, and some patients with specific allergies or medication interactions may be excluded.
What this research studies
This project develops an oral drug based on natural aromatic aldehydes that works two ways to prevent hemoglobin S from forming harmful polymers: one oxygen‑dependent and a novel oxygen‑independent mechanism. Researchers screened hundreds of related compounds and identified a lead molecule with improved anti‑sickling activity and better drug properties. The work focuses on optimizing the compound and completing the lab and animal studies needed to advance toward human testing. If successful, the drug would be positioned as a next‑generation oral treatment to reduce sickling and its complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide a more effective oral therapy that lowers red blood cell sickling and potentially reduces painful crises and organ damage in people with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have gone: Related aromatic aldehyde drugs (for example, the FDA‑approved Voxelotor) showed the approach can work but had limits in reducing vaso‑occlusive events, and this project builds on that with a novel oxygen‑independent mechanism.
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.
-
Digital twins of the spleen to help design better therapies for sickle cell disease
A computer-driven replica of the spleen is being developed to speed up creating safer and more effective treatments for people with sickle cell disease.
-
Accelerating hydroxyurea use for sickle cell disease in Nigeria
A pragmatic study in Nigeria aims to help doctors use hydroxyurea more consistently for people with sickle cell disease.
-
Immune and nerve signals behind acupuncture relief for sickle cell pain
This NIH grant explores how acupuncture helps reduce pain and opioid use for people with sickle cell disease.
-
Mindfulness-based Support for Pain and Sleep in Young People with Sickle Cell Disease
A digital mindfulness program is being tailored for adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease to help with pain and sleep and is being tested for practicality and early effectiveness.
-
How diet affects white blood cells and sickle cell disease
A study looks at how nutrition, from early life to adulthood, influences sickle cell disease by examining neutrophils and disease severity in people with SCD and in a mouse model.
-
Nutrition-based plan to ease pain in sickle cell disease
A nutrition-based approach is being tested to reduce pain for people living with sickle cell disease.
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.