Creating a new treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis using a specialized antibody
Official title: Development of A Dual Chemokine CCL2/CCL5 Neutralizing Single-domainAntibody for Treating Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Funded at Oncotrap, INC. · NIH-10761039 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment that uses a special type of antibody to help reduce liver inflammation and damage in people with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and it could offer a better option for managing the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oncotrap, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $361,400 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DK133006-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10761039 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis who have not responded to lifestyle changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of liver disease or those who have advanced liver cirrhosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel bispecific antibody that targets two specific chemokines, CCL2 and CCL5, which are involved in the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The approach aims to reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis, which are critical in the disease's development. By utilizing a model that simulates NASH, the researchers have shown promising results that suggest this new treatment could be more effective than existing options. Patients may benefit from a new therapeutic option that addresses the underlying causes of their condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients suffering from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with similar bispecific antibody approaches in treating other conditions, indicating potential for this novel treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Oncotrap, INC.
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gao, Xiang — Oncotrap, INC.
- Study coordinator: Gao, Xiang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Role of metabolic stress in NASH-related liver cancer
This grant explores how metabolic stress linked to NASH may drive liver cancer and looks for ways to interrupt that process to help patients.
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TREM2: a helper in liver inflammation and scarring in NASH
A new approach studies how a liver immune receptor called TREM2 helps protect against liver inflammation and scarring in people with fatty liver disease that can progress to NASH.
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Genes behind fatty liver disease and NASH
This project looks at how specific genes change fatty liver disease and scarring to help guide better tests and treatments for people with NAFLD/NASH.
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Ex-vivo bioengineered liver cells to study NASH-related dysfunction
Researchers will use patient-derived stem cell–made liver cells in a lab setup to understand why NASH causes liver damage and how stiffness of the liver’s surroundings affects this process.
-
How TREM2 on immune cells affects fatty liver disease (NASH)
This project looks at whether the immune protein TREM2 helps drive liver inflammation and scarring in people with NASH.
-
New small-molecule medicines that stabilize Axin to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Trying new small-molecule drugs that stabilize Axin to lower liver fat and scarring for people with NASH.
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.