Developing a new MRI contrast agent to detect liver disease
Official title: Fibrogenesis Targeted Manganese Based MRI Contrast Agent
Funded at Reveal Pharma · NIH-10896265 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of MRI contrast agent made from manganese to help doctors see liver damage caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) without needing to do a painful biopsy, making it easier to catch problems early and track how well treatments are working for people with liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Reveal Pharma NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $969,394 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK134295-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10896265 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, particularly those at risk of developing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced liver disease who are not at risk for NASH may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a manganese-based MRI contrast agent that can noninvasively detect nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive form of fatty liver disease. By improving the ability to visualize liver fibrosis, the study aims to provide a safer alternative to invasive biopsies for diagnosing and monitoring NASH. The approach involves advanced imaging techniques that could allow for early detection and assessment of treatment responses in patients with liver disease. This could lead to better management and outcomes for individuals at risk of severe liver complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable earlier and safer diagnosis of liver disease, potentially improving treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for liver disease detection, but this specific manganese-based approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Reveal Pharma
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoffman, Vera — Reveal Pharma
- Study coordinator: Hoffman, Vera
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Developing a safer MRI contrast agent using manganese
This study is testing a new MRI contrast agent made from manganese to see if it can safely help doctors get clear images for cancer detection, especially for patients with kidney problems who might be at risk from the usual gadolinium-based agents.
-
New contrast agent for safer heart imaging
This study is testing a new, safer contrast agent made from manganese for heart MRI scans, designed especially for people with kidney problems, to help doctors get clearer images of the heart without the usual risks.
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.