A probiotic-based therapy to reset immune function in rheumatoid arthritis
Official title: A Bioengineered Probiotic for Resetting Immune Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Funded at Virtici, LLC · NIH-11313110 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new orally taken therapy aims to restore immune balance in people with rheumatoid arthritis to help achieve long-term remission.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virtici, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 26, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $306,341 |
| NIH project number | 1R44AR087173-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11313110 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with rheumatoid arthritis who are seeking long-term disease control and remission.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose RA does not respond to immunotherapeutic approaches or who cannot tolerate oral administration may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on developing an oral immunotherapy (VTC-B35) that aims to reprogram the immune system so it stops attacking joints in rheumatoid arthritis. The plan is to move from concept toward a patient-friendly product that can be taken by mouth and used long-term. The approach centers on increasing immune tolerance through regulatory T and B cells that target RA-specific autoantigens. If successful, this could offer a treatment with fewer broad immunosuppressive effects than some current biologics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience longer periods of joint remission with fewer systemic side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Other immune-tolerance strategies have shown promise in preclinical or early-phase work, with ongoing efforts to translate them into patient therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Virtici, LLC
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fanger, Neil a — Virtici, LLC
- Study coordinator: Fanger, Neil a
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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.