First-in-class TREM-1 inhibitors to treat sight-threatening retinal diseases
Official title: First-in-class TREM-1 inhibitors for neovascular retinal diseases
Funded at Signablok, INC. · NIH-11314589 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new therapy target called TREM-1 is being explored to prevent abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye that can cause vision loss in conditions like ROP and diabetic retinopathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Signablok, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $830,491 |
| NIH project number | 5R44EY034015-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11314589 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with retinal neovascular diseases such as ROP or diabetic retinopathy who may benefit from a systemic or macrophage-targeted therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without retinal neovascular conditions or those unlikely to respond to anti-angiogenic approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH-funded project aims to develop and test new TREM-1–inhibiting peptides that may be given systemically or inside macrophage-targeted carriers to reduce retinal neovascularization. Researchers have shown in mouse models that these peptide therapies can prevent or treat abnormal vessel growth and lower inflammatory signals in the retina. The approach uses a novel, ligand-independent mechanism to block TREM-1, potentially offering a safer, longer-lasting treatment. If successful, this work could lead to a new option for patients, including infants with ROP and adults with diabetic retinopathy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with retinal neovascular diseases could have a new, potentially safer treatment that reduces vision-threatening vessel growth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies showed that TREM-1 blockade can prevent or reverse abnormal retinal vessel growth, supporting the potential for translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Signablok, INC.
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sigalov, Alexander B — Signablok, INC.
- Study coordinator: Sigalov, Alexander B
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.