Improved Sirolimus-Analog Adventitial Delivery for Below-the-Knee PAD
Official title: Improved Sirolimus-Analog Adventitial Delivery to Enhance Outcomes in Below-the-Knee Peripheral Artery Disease
Funded at Mercator Medsystems, INC. · NIH-11299471 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new sirolimus-like drug delivery method targeting the artery outer layer aims to improve blood flow and limb outcomes for people with below-the-knee peripheral artery disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mercator Medsystems, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Leandro, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2010 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HL102998-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11299471 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with below-the-knee PAD at risk of limb loss who would be candidates for endovascular therapy and novel local drug delivery approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without BTK PAD or those not undergoing endovascular treatment may not directly benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project explores a novel drug-delivery approach to the adventitial layer of vessels affected by PAD, intending to enhance healing and reduce complications after interventions. By using a sirolimus-analog delivered to the artery wall, the study seeks to improve patency and reduce restenosis in small leg vessels. The grant supports preclinical and translational steps toward a therapy that could be used alongside endovascular procedures in patients with critical limb-threatening ischemia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with below-the-knee PAD could experience better limb perfusion, fewer re-interventions, and lower risk of major amputation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts with drug-coated devices have shown mixed results in below-the-knee vessels, making this approach exploratory but promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Mercator Medsystems, INC.
San Leandro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seward, Kirk — Mercator Medsystems, INC.
- Study coordinator: Seward, Kirk
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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.