Developing a new treatment for painful shoulder stiffness
Official title: Late Stage Development of Sustained-release Relaxin for Treating Joint Contracture
Funded at Ortholevo, INC. · NIH-11007103 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new injectable treatment using a hormone called relaxin-2 to help people with shoulder contracture, a condition that causes painful stiffness and limits movement, with the hope of improving their shoulder mobility and overall quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ortholevo, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lynnfield, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 6, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $504,965 |
| NIH project number | 1SB1AR084380-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11007103 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing shoulder stiffness and pain due to arthrofibrosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with shoulder contracture caused by conditions other than arthrofibrosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a sustained-release formulation of relaxin-2, a naturally occurring hormone, to treat shoulder contracture, also known as arthrofibrosis. The condition leads to painful stiffness and loss of motion in the shoulder, affecting millions of individuals. Current treatments provide only temporary relief, while this innovative approach aims to address the underlying cause by reducing fibrotic tissue accumulation. Patients will receive an injectable treatment that could significantly improve their shoulder mobility and quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel and effective treatment option for individuals suffering from shoulder contracture.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of relaxin-2 for this specific condition is novel, similar approaches targeting collagen regulation have shown promise in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Ortholevo, INC.
Lynnfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cooper, Benjamin Goldman — Ortholevo, INC.
- Study coordinator: Cooper, Benjamin Goldman
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Sustained-relief for shoulder stiffness using injectable relaxin therapy
A new injectable therapy uses a slow-release Relaxin-2 formulation to reduce scar tissue and improve shoulder motion for people with arthrofibrosis.
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Improving stiff joints with sustained-release relaxin
This project is exploring a new long-lasting medication to help people with stiff and painful shoulders.
-
Using relaxin to treat frozen shoulder
This study is testing a new injection treatment for frozen shoulder that uses a natural hormone to help ease pain and stiffness, aiming to improve your shoulder movement and overall quality of life.
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.