Creating a new test platform for liver fibrosis using patient-derived cells
Official title: Liver fibrosis cell-based assay platform: integrating patient-derived fibrotic liver ECM with primary stellate cells, Kupffer cells, and hepatocytes to accelerate anti-fibrotic drug development
Funded at Xylyx Bio, INC. · NIH-11008126 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to test potential treatments for liver fibrosis by creating a lab model that closely resembles how the human liver behaves, which could help find better therapies for people living with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Xylyx Bio, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $370,020 |
| NIH project number | 1R44DK139877-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11008126 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from liver fibrosis due to conditions such as NASH, NAFLD, or hepatitis C.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver fibrosis caused by factors unrelated to the conditions being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a cell-based assay platform that mimics human liver fibrosis using engineered fibrotic lesions. By integrating patient-derived extracellular matrix with primary liver cells, the project aims to create a more accurate model for testing anti-fibrotic drugs. This innovative approach addresses the limitations of current animal models and aims to provide a reliable in-vitro testing environment that reflects human conditions. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the development of effective treatments for liver fibrosis, a condition that currently lacks approved therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective treatments for liver fibrosis, improving outcomes for patients with chronic liver diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in liver fibrosis research, this specific approach using engineered human fibrotic lesions is novel and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Xylyx Bio, INC.
Brooklyn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'neill, John David — Xylyx Bio, INC.
- Study coordinator: O'neill, John David
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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.