Immunology-guided probiotic therapy for Sjögren’s syndrome
Official title: A Novel Immunological-Directed Probiotic for the Treatment of Sjögren’s Syndrome
Funded at Rise Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11575646 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A probiotic therapy using L. lactis is being developed to help people with Sjögren’s syndrome by modulating the immune system to protect salivary and tear glands.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rise Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rockville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 14, 2025 |
| Project end | August 13, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $549,833 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3DE034134-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11575646 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome who have significant gland-related symptoms and are seeking new therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Sjögren’s who have mild symptoms or who do not respond to probiotic-based approaches may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a probiotic treatment that directs the immune system to reduce gland inflammation in Sjögren’s syndrome. It focuses on using a genetically tailored Lactococcus lactis strain to promote regulatory immune responses without needing to target specific disease antigens. The research will progress from conceptual design to testing in models and early human studies to understand safety and potential efficacy. If successful, this approach could lessen gland damage and improve dryness-related symptoms for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience better saliva and tear production and slower disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous probiotic and immune-modulating strategies provide a basis for potential benefit, but this specific immunological-directed probiotic is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rise Therapeutics, LLC
Rockville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fanger, Gary — Rise Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Fanger, Gary
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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.