Improving treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Official title: Optimizing SWELL1 modulators to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Funded at Senseion Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-10461207 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new medications that could help people with obesity and type 2 diabetes by improving how their bodies handle insulin and sugar, which might also help reduce fat in the liver.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Senseion Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $1,089,280 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK126600-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10461207 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, particularly those with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or those not affected by metabolic syndrome may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new medications that target a specific ion channel complex, SWELL1, which plays a crucial role in regulating insulin signaling and glucose metabolism. By using a small molecule modulator, researchers aim to enhance the function of SWELL1, potentially improving insulin sensitivity and reducing liver fat accumulation. The approach involves testing these modulators in animal models that mimic human conditions of obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are linked to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). If successful, this could lead to new therapies for patients suffering from these metabolic disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new treatment options for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and related metabolic conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways for metabolic diseases, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Senseion Therapeutics, INC.
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lerner, Daniel J — Senseion Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Lerner, Daniel J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Role of metabolic stress in NASH-related liver cancer
This grant explores how metabolic stress linked to NASH may drive liver cancer and looks for ways to interrupt that process to help patients.
-
TREM2: a helper in liver inflammation and scarring in NASH
A new approach studies how a liver immune receptor called TREM2 helps protect against liver inflammation and scarring in people with fatty liver disease that can progress to NASH.
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Genes behind fatty liver disease and NASH
This project looks at how specific genes change fatty liver disease and scarring to help guide better tests and treatments for people with NAFLD/NASH.
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Ex-vivo bioengineered liver cells to study NASH-related dysfunction
Researchers will use patient-derived stem cell–made liver cells in a lab setup to understand why NASH causes liver damage and how stiffness of the liver’s surroundings affects this process.
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How TREM2 on immune cells affects fatty liver disease (NASH)
This project looks at whether the immune protein TREM2 helps drive liver inflammation and scarring in people with NASH.
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New small-molecule medicines that stabilize Axin to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Trying new small-molecule drugs that stabilize Axin to lower liver fat and scarring for people with NASH.
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.