NIH-funded research Sbir 1 grant

Creating new cell therapies for lung diseases using AI technology

Official title: Development of Novel Regenerative Cell Therapies for Lung Diseases using AI-guided Chemical Reprogramming of Human Cells

Funded at Cellforma, INC · NIH-10913890 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring a new way to help people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by using artificial intelligence to turn skin cells into lung cells, which could lead to better treatments for this serious lung disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCellforma, INC
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startApril 15, 2024
Project endJune 30, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$306,239
NIH project number1R43HL172322-01A1
Project IDNIH-10913890 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who are seeking new treatment options.

Less likely to help

Patients with lung diseases other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing innovative cell therapies to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a severe lung disease that leads to scarring and lung failure. The approach involves using artificial intelligence to identify effective chemical methods for reprogramming easily obtained skin cells into specialized lung cells. By leveraging AI and machine learning, the project aims to streamline the process of generating the necessary cells for therapy, potentially improving treatment options for patients with IPF. The research builds on previous findings that suggest cell replacement therapy could restore lung function in affected individuals.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

How similar studies have gone: While cell replacement therapy has shown promise in animal models, this specific approach using AI-guided chemical reprogramming is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in humans.

Where this research is happening

  • Cellforma, INC
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ietswaart, Jaldert Hugo Rigobert — Cellforma, INC
  • Study coordinator: Ietswaart, Jaldert Hugo Rigobert

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.