Finding new drugs to inhibit heparanase for treating diabetic kidney disease
Official title: AI-directed discovery of heparanase inhibitors
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11169411 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new medicines that can help protect your kidneys from damage caused by diabetes by blocking a specific enzyme, and it uses smart technology to find the best options to test in the lab.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $199,999 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DK137916-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169411 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with diabetic nephropathy, particularly those experiencing albuminuria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those who do not have kidney-related complications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new inhibitors for heparanase, an enzyme linked to kidney damage in diabetes. By using advanced artificial intelligence methods, the team aims to discover compounds that can effectively block this enzyme and improve kidney function. The research will involve testing these inhibitors in laboratory settings to assess their effectiveness and safety. If successful, this could lead to new oral medications for patients suffering from diabetic nephropathy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new treatment options that help protect kidney function in patients with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with existing heparanase inhibitors in animal models and patients, indicating potential for success with this new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cui, Lina — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Cui, Lina
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.