Improving how peptide medicines are attached to polymers
Optimizing therapeutic peptide presentation within polymers
This project develops new ways to attach small protein medicines (peptides) to polymer carriers so they last longer and work better for people with illnesses like cancer, ALS, and infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320881 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll see researchers design and build different polymer-peptide combinations that vary in size, architecture, and how the peptide is presented. They will test these designs in lab experiments to measure peptide stability, target binding, and any harm to healthy cells. Promising formulations will be moved into animal tests to check effectiveness and safety before human testing. The aim is to identify ways to keep peptide medicines active longer and deliver them safely to the right tissues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with diseases that could be treated by peptide therapies (for example some cancers, ALS, or chronic infections) who might consider enrolling in future clinical trials once therapies are ready.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not suitable for peptide-based treatments or who need immediate therapy are unlikely to benefit from this preclinical chemistry research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make peptide-based drugs more durable and safer, enabling new treatments for cancers, ALS, and infectious diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Related polymer-conjugation approaches such as PEGylation have extended the half-life of protein drugs and enabled some treatments, but peptide-specific attachment strategies are less mature and are still being developed.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Letteri, Rachel — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Letteri, Rachel
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 below.