Improving nerve and ureter visibility during abdominal surgery
Official title: Development of ALM-488 for nerve and ureter visualization during abdominal surgery
Funded at Alume Biosciences, INC. · NIH-10925267 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new tool called ALM-488 that helps surgeons see nerves and ureters more clearly during abdominal surgeries, which could help prevent injuries and improve recovery for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Alume Biosciences, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $865,615 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA275546-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10925267 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing abdominal surgeries where there is a risk of nerve or ureter injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing abdominal surgeries or those with conditions unrelated to nerve or ureter injuries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new agent, ALM-488, to enhance the visualization of nerves and ureters during abdominal surgeries. By improving the ability of surgeons to see these critical structures, the goal is to reduce the risk of inadvertent injuries that can lead to significant postoperative complications. The approach involves using advanced imaging techniques to provide clearer differentiation between nerves, ureters, and surrounding tissues, especially in challenging surgical scenarios. This could lead to better surgical outcomes and reduced patient morbidity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce postoperative complications related to nerve and ureter injuries, improving recovery and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in surgical visualization techniques, this specific approach using ALM-488 is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Alume Biosciences, INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whitney, Michael a — Alume Biosciences, INC.
- Study coordinator: Whitney, Michael a
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.