Developing a new treatment for dry eye disease caused by Sjogren's syndrome
Official title: Scale-up and Manufacturing of STLR-201, an off-the-shelf regenerative therapeutic for Sjogren's syndrome-related dry eye disease
Funded at Stellular Bio, INC. · NIH-11067525 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easy-to-get treatment for dry eyes caused by Sjogren's syndrome, using special cells to create a healing extract that could help improve your symptoms and overall eye health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stellular Bio, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Watertown, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $356,485 |
| NIH project number | 1R44EY037132-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067525 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome who experience dry eye symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with dry eye disease not related to Sjogren's syndrome may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating an innovative off-the-shelf therapy for Sjogren's syndrome-related dry eye disease, which affects millions of people. The approach involves using induced pluripotent stem cells to produce a unique extract that contains growth factors and cytokines aimed at promoting healing in the cornea and alleviating symptoms. By providing a fast-acting and disease-modifying treatment, this research aims to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from this condition. The therapy is designed to be readily available and does not require individualized manufacturing, making it more accessible to patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option that significantly alleviates symptoms and improves the quality of life for patients with Sjogren's syndrome-related dry eye disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise with similar approaches using autologous blood products, indicating potential for success with this novel off-the-shelf therapy.
Where this research is happening
-
Stellular Bio, INC.
Watertown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dykstra, Bradford — Stellular Bio, INC.
- Study coordinator: Dykstra, Bradford
Related research
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Tear microRNA patterns in women and men with dry eye
Researchers will look at tiny RNA molecules in tear fluid from people with dry eye to find patterns linked to sex and race.
-
Immune causes of chronic dry eye
This work looks at how certain immune cells make dry eye persist in adults and aims to point toward better, longer-lasting treatments.
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.