Developing a new treatment for a kidney disease caused by autoantibodies
Official title: Depleting autoantibodies for the treatment of autoimmunity
Funded at Astero Erado INC · NIH-11051904 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for primary membranous nephropathy, a kidney condition, by using specially designed antibodies to target and remove harmful substances in the body, which could help improve your health and reduce side effects from current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Astero Erado INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | March 11, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $863,199 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI170180-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051904 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with primary membranous nephropathy, particularly those with high levels of PLA2R-specific autoantibodies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of kidney disease or those who do not have elevated PLA2R-specific autoantibodies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a novel therapy for primary membranous nephropathy (MN), a kidney condition that can lead to severe complications like end-stage renal disease. The approach involves using engineered antibody-based treatments that specifically target and deplete harmful autoantibodies associated with MN, potentially offering a more effective and safer alternative to current therapies. By addressing the root cause of the disease, this research aims to improve patient outcomes and reduce the side effects associated with existing treatments. Patients with high levels of specific autoantibodies will be closely monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of the new therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more effective treatment option for patients suffering from primary membranous nephropathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using antibody-based therapies for autoimmune conditions, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Astero Erado INC
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kannanganat Sidharthan, Sunil — Astero Erado INC
- Study coordinator: Kannanganat Sidharthan, Sunil
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.