AVR-48: a new lung medicine to help premature babies prevent lung disease
Official title: Phase 1 Safety, Pharmacokinetic study followed by Phase 2a Proof-of-Concept study of AVR-48, a small molecule macrophage modulator to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonates
Funded at Ayuvis Research, INC. · NIH-11309117 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small molecule medicine called AVR-48 is being studied to help premature babies avoid a serious lung disease called bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ayuvis Research, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | April 12, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $359,812 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HD112276-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309117 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Newborns and infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia who require ventilation or have similar exposure may be candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Infants without risk factors for BPD or those not receiving ventilation may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project tests AVR-48 in newborns or young patients who are at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia after preterm birth. It uses a two-phase approach: an initial safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) assessment, followed by a smaller proof-of-concept study to see if the drug improves lung development and function. The therapy works by modulating macrophages to reduce lung inflammation and promote blood vessel growth in the lung, aiming to protect alveolar development. The research includes studies in human cells and animal models to understand how AVR-48 behaves in the body and its effects in the lungs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, AVR-48 could reduce inflammation and improve lung development in at-risk newborns, potentially lowering BPD risk and improving survival and breathing after birth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies in animal models and early human data show that similar macrophage-targeting approaches can modulate lung inflammation and promote vascular and alveolar development.
Where this research is happening
-
Ayuvis Research, INC.
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acharya, Suchismita — Ayuvis Research, INC.
- Study coordinator: Acharya, Suchismita
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of uneven lung growth in chronic lung disease from birth to adulthood
This grant explores how mismatched growth of airways, airspaces, and blood vessels during early life might lead to lasting lung problems in bronchopulmonary dysplasia and how that affects people over time.
-
Regulatory T Cells and Lung Disease-Related High Blood Pressure in Adults
This project studies how a type of immune cell called regulatory T cells may influence inflammation and blood vessel changes in lung disease, with potential relevance to adults who have vascular issues in their lungs.
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Understanding how breathing effort in premature babies with lung disease comes from different lung problems
A research project aims to create a patient-specific tool to measure how different features of bronchopulmonary dysplasia contribute to the struggle to breathe in premature infants.
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Role of LKB1 in reduced lung blood vessel growth in BPD
Aims to understand how a cellular regulator (LKB1) affects blood vessel formation in the lungs of preterm infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
-
A new approach to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants
A new treatment strategy aimed at improving lung development in premature babies at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
-
L-Citrulline for BPD-related Pulmonary Hypertension in Preterm Babies
A first-in-human study will test safe and effective doses of L-citrulline given by mouth to stability-preterm infants at risk for lung blood pressure problems.
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.