NIH-funded research Sbir 2 grant

Developing a new treatment for non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors

Official title: VEL-03: IND-enabling development of a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors

Funded at Velorum Therapeutics INC. · NIH-11066672 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new treatment called VEL-03 for people with non-small cell lung cancer, which aims to help fight the cancer while being gentle on healthy cells, and it will be used alongside radiation and a common chemotherapy drug to see if it can improve results for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVelorum Therapeutics INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Plano, United States)
Project startJune 3, 2025
Project endMay 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$772,293
NIH project number1R44CA291444-01A1
Project IDNIH-11066672 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer or other solid tumors who have limited treatment options.

Less likely to help

Patients with early-stage cancers or those who do not have solid tumors may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on a novel therapy called VEL-03, designed to target the metabolism of cancer cells, particularly in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The approach involves disrupting heme uptake, which is crucial for cancer growth, while minimizing damage to normal cells. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of VEL-03 in combination with radiation therapy and Cisplatin, and will also work on scaling up the manufacturing process for clinical use. Patients may benefit from this innovative treatment that aims to improve outcomes for those with hard-to-treat cancers.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting cancer metabolism, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment.

Where this research is happening

  • Velorum Therapeutics INC.
    Plano, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Showalter, Richard Edward — Velorum Therapeutics INC.
  • Study coordinator: Showalter, Richard Edward

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.
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.