Anti-EMAP II antibody as a first-in-class treatment for COPD-related pulmonary hypertension
Official title: An anti-EMAP II monoclonal antibody as a first-in-class treatment for Group III pulmonary hypertension patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Funded at Allinaire Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11403849 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A first-in-class antibody treatment is being developed to help people with COPD-related pulmonary hypertension by blocking EMAP II, a molecule involved in lung injury and inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Allinaire Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,498,892 |
| NIH project number | 1R44HL186831-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11403849 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with COPD who have Group 3 pulmonary hypertension and no approved targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without COPD or without COPD-related PH are unlikely to benefit from this specific EMAP II-targeted approach.
What this research studies
This program aims to move a neutralizing antibody against EMAP II from early studies toward an IND-enabling path, with the goal of offering a disease-modifying option for patients with Group 3 PH linked to COPD. The work includes preclinical data supporting EMAP II’s role in COPD and PH, and plans to demonstrate safety and efficacy pathways in preparation for human trials. If successful, the therapy could reduce lung injury, inflammation, and downstream pulmonary vascular damage in COPD patients who develop PH. The project combines animal models and strategy development to support IND readiness for a potential first-in-class treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with COPD-related pulmonary hypertension could have a novel treatment that targets a root driver of their lung disease and vascular complications.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical evidence in COPD and PH models suggests EMAP II is a relevant target; human data are not yet available for this therapy.
Where this research is happening
-
Allinaire Therapeutics, LLC
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hay, Douglas W.p. — Allinaire Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Hay, Douglas W.p.
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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.