First-in-class treatment for liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension
Official title: A FIRST IN CLASS TREATMENT FOR LIVER CIRRHOSIS
Funded at Xfibra, INC. · NIH-11406381 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new therapy called XFB19 aims to reduce liver inflammation and scarring in people with advanced liver disease and portal hypertension.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Xfibra, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Del Mar, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,188,325 |
| NIH project number | 2R44DK122903-03A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406381 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cirrhosis or without CSPH are unlikely to benefit from this specific therapy.
What this research studies
This grant explores a first-in-class drug, XFB19, to treat liver inflammation and fibrosis in people with MASH cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension. The research progresses from preclinical findings to potential human studies, focusing on stopping or reversing liver damage that raises the risk of liver failure and death. If successful, the therapy could reduce complications like ascites and bleeding and lower the need for liver transplantation. The work involves collaboration with a clinical-stage company and is designed to move toward trials that could benefit patients with cirrhosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with MASH cirrhosis and CSPH could experience slower disease progression, fewer complications, and improved survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches in MASH and cirrhosis have shown partial success in preclinical settings, but this represents a novel first-in-class mechanism targeting liver inflammation.
Where this research is happening
-
Xfibra, INC.
Del Mar, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buck, Martina — Xfibra, INC.
- Study coordinator: Buck, Martina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Centers for Clinical Research
A multicenter study in people with cirrhosis from different causes (including HIV, NASH, and alcohol-related liver disease) to collect data and samples and test new ways to predict and monitor disease progression.
-
Liver Cirrhosis Network: Mayo Clinic's Clinical Research Center
A Mayo Clinic-led project will follow and help people with compensated cirrhosis, using data, imaging, and a big AI tool to predict when complications may happen and test whether a statin can improve outcomes.
-
Liver Cirrhosis Network: Longitudinal and Clinical Trial Studies
A network-wide NIH study focused on understanding cirrhosis better to prevent complications and improve care for people with advanced liver disease.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Coordinating Data for Better Care
A national effort is coordinating data to improve care for people with advanced liver disease and its complications.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network coordinating cirrhosis studies and a rosuvastatin trial
This project follows people with liver cirrhosis over time and tests whether the cholesterol medicine rosuvastatin helps people with cirrhosis.
-
Liver cirrhosis network coordinating treatments and patient data
This program brings hospitals together to run and organize tests of treatments and care approaches for people living with liver cirrhosis.
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.