First-in-class complement inhibitor for blood diseases that damage red blood cells
Official title: Development of a first-in-class complement inhibitor for treating complement-mediated hematologic diseases
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11536949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, targeted therapy being developed to help people with blood diseases like PNH and AIHA by blocking the immune system’s complement attack on red blood cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $549,500 |
| NIH project number | 4R33HL171747-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11536949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with complement-mediated hematologic diseases such as PNH or AIHA who could be eligible for future clinical development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without complement-mediated anemia or those not eligible for future trials may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project aims to create and test a novel nanobody-based drug that can stop complement-driven damage to red blood cells. Researchers will first generate additional inhibitors, then thoroughly characterize them in lab studies (R61 phase) and evaluate the leading candidate in preclinical models of PNH and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) for how well it works and how it behaves in the body (R33 phase). If successful, this work could set the stage for the first-in-class therapy to move toward clinical development for patients with complement-mediated hematologic diseases. The study is conducted at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Center in Cleveland, under the direction of Feng C. Lin, PhD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with PNH and AIHA could have a new treatment that better protects red blood cells and reduces related complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with nanobody-based complement inhibitors showed potential in preclinical models, supporting continued development.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Feng C — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Lin, Feng C
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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.