A Water-Soluble Peptide Therapy for Lung Fibrosis That You Take by Mouth
Official title: A Novel Water-Soluble, Orally-Active Peptide Therapeutic for Interstitial Lung Disease Derived from the Caveolin-1 Scaffolding Domain
Funded at Fibrotherapeutics, INC. · NIH-11404362 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new peptide medicine taken by mouth is being developed to help people with interstitial lung diseases by targeting a protein that drives scarring in the lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fibrotherapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $920,624 |
| NIH project number | 1R44HL186828-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404362 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with interstitial lung diseases who may benefit from therapies targeting lung fibrosis (future trials would define specific inclusion criteria).
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions not related to lung fibrosis or those unable to take oral medications may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a peptide derived from caveolin-1 that can reduce lung fibrosis in animal models and is being optimized for oral use. Researchers have shown that this peptide can reverse some disease features in aged animals and that oral delivery is feasible, paving the way for human testing. The next steps will test how much of the peptide is needed to benefit lung function in mouse models of ILD and assess safety and pharmacology to prepare for future trials. If successful, the work could lead to a new, easier-to-use treatment option for patients with fibrotic lung diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with interstitial lung disease could gain a new oral therapy that reduces scarring and improves lung function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies showed that the peptide can reverse fibrosis and improve organ function, supporting potential translational progress.
Where this research is happening
-
Fibrotherapeutics, INC.
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuppuswamy, Dhandapani — Fibrotherapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kuppuswamy, Dhandapani
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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.