Creating safer and more effective alternatives to erythropoietin for treating anemia

Designing safe, potent, and cost-effective small peptide erythropoietin analogs

NIH-funded research Covenant Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-10602271

This study is working on a new, easier, and safer treatment for anemia, especially for people with kidney disease and cancer, by creating a special version of a hormone that helps make red blood cells, so you won't have to deal with as many injections or side effects.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCovenant Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charlottesville, United States)
Project IDNIH-10602271 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing new small peptide analogs of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, to treat anemia, particularly in patients with kidney disease and cancer. The goal is to create a treatment that is not only more affordable but also safer and easier to administer than current therapies, which often require frequent injections and can lead to complications. The researchers will optimize these peptide analogs to ensure they are stable and effective for weekly dosing, using animal models to test their efficacy and safety. This innovative approach aims to reduce the risk of adverse effects associated with existing treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from anemia due to chronic kidney disease or malignancies.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have anemia or those whose anemia is not related to kidney disease or cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with a safer, more convenient, and cost-effective treatment option for anemia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing peptide analogs for erythropoietin, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Charlottesville, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.