Developing a new treatment to improve the effectiveness of gout medication
Official title: Scale-up and Toxicity Studies of POEGMA-Uricase
Funded at Gateway Bio, INC. · NIH-11007013 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Gateway Bio, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $639,172 |
| NIH project number | 2R44TR003255-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11007013 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with treatment-refractory chronic gout who have experienced reduced efficacy from PEGylated therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic gout or who have not been treated with PEGylated therapies may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing alternatives to PEG, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Gateway Bio, INC.
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hucknall, Angus — Gateway Bio, INC.
- Study coordinator: Hucknall, Angus
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.