Developing a new treatment to improve the effectiveness of gout medication

Scale-up and Toxicity Studies of POEGMA-Uricase

NIH-funded research Gateway Bio, INC. · NIH-11007013

This study is testing a new type of polymer that could make gout treatments work better and be safer for people who have had allergic reactions to current options, by using a special compound to help a medicine stay effective in the body.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGateway Bio, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11007013 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a new polymer alternative to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to enhance the stability and circulation of biological therapeutics, particularly for gout treatment. The new compound, poly(oligoethylene glycol methyl methacrylate) (POEGMA), aims to eliminate the immunogenicity associated with PEG, which can cause allergic reactions and reduce the effectiveness of treatments. By conjugating POEGMA with an FDA-approved enzyme drug, uricase, the research seeks to improve patient outcomes for those with chronic gout who have developed anti-PEG antibodies. The study involves synthesizing POEGMA and testing its efficacy in stabilizing the therapeutic agent.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with treatment-refractory chronic gout who have experienced reduced efficacy from PEGylated therapies.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have chronic gout or who have not been treated with PEGylated therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective gout treatments with fewer side effects for patients who have developed sensitivities to existing therapies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing alternatives to PEG, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.