Dual nitric oxide donor therapy for sickle cell–related acute chest syndrome
Official title: A Dual Nitric Oxide Donor for Sickle Cell Disease Associated Acute Chest Syndrome
Funded at Dimerx · NIH-11409179 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new medicine (DMX-201) being developed to help people with sickle cell disease who develop acute chest syndrome by delivering nitric oxide more safely.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dimerx NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mill Valley, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,331,241 |
| NIH project number | 1R44HL186981-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11409179 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with sickle cell disease who experience acute chest syndrome or are at risk for ACS could eventually benefit from this therapy through future clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
In the near term, patients will not directly receive the drug, and those without ACS or without sickle cell disease are not the target.
What this research studies
If this project succeeds, DMX-201 will be tested in mice that mimic sickle cell–related chest problems and will also use blood samples from patients to study how the drug affects red blood cell sticking and blood flow. The researchers will look at how safely the drug releases nitric oxide over time and what dose might be effective for future human trials. The work builds on earlier lab findings and aims to move toward an IND-enabled program so that future studies could test the treatment in people with sickle cell disease. Participation would involve laboratory experiments, animal studies, and analysis of patient samples, with a focus on translating a lab finding into a potential therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could become a targeted option to reduce lung complications and improve outcomes for people with sickle cell disease who develop acute chest syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous basic studies show the drug’s safety and activity in endothelial cells and favorable pharmacokinetics in animals, supporting progression to more advanced testing.
Where this research is happening
-
Dimerx
Mill Valley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woodburn, Kathryn W — Dimerx
- Study coordinator: Woodburn, Kathryn W
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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.