A protein treatment to protect babies' hearts during heart surgery
Official title: Development of an oxygen delivery biotherapeutic for the preservation of myocardial function during pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass
Funded at Omniox, INC. · NIH-11167638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A protein medicine called OMX aims to deliver oxygen to protect the hearts and organs of newborns and infants during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Omniox, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $991,379 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HD094414-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Newborns and infants undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for surgical repair of congenital heart defects would be the intended candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Children and adults not having cardiopulmonary bypass or babies whose problems are not caused by surgery-related oxygen deprivation would not be expected to benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
This project is developing OMX, an oxygen-carrying protein that would be given around the time of cardiopulmonary bypass to reduce oxygen loss to the heart and other organs in newborns and young infants. The work builds on earlier safety and preliminary data and includes laboratory and animal studies with clinical collaborators at UCSF. The goal is to refine the product and the dosing strategy so it can move toward use in babies having surgery for congenital heart defects. If development milestones are met, the next steps would be clinical testing at specialized pediatric heart centers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, OMX could lower organ damage and post-operative complications and improve short- and long-term outcomes after infant heart surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Using oxygen-carrying agents during surgery is a relatively new approach in newborn cardiac care and prior oxygen carrier products have had mixed results, so this application is promising but not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Omniox, INC.
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winger, Jonathan a — Omniox, INC.
- Study coordinator: Winger, Jonathan a
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This study is looking at how a heart-lung machine used during heart surgery for kids can cause inflammation in their bodies, and it aims to find ways to reduce this inflammation to help them recover better after surgery.
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.