Injectable Hydrogel for HS: a localized therapy to ease painful skin disease
Official title: Injectable Hydrogel Treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Funded at Incuta Therapeutics LLC · NIH-11407993 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new baricitinib hydrogel is being developed to deliver pain relief and reduce inflammation directly in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) lesions, potentially lowering systemic side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Incuta Therapeutics LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $321,630 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AR086700-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11407993 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with hidradenitis suppurativa who have inadequate responses to current biologics or who are at higher risk from systemic therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with HS who may not respond to localized hydrogel or who have contraindications to baricitinib could see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to translate a baricitinib hydrogel from the lab into a clinical-ready product for HS patients. It focuses on manufacturing and quality control to ensure the gel can be produced safely at clinical-grade standards. The approach is designed to provide targeted, sustained release of medication in HS-affected areas, which may reduce pain, discharge, and visible lesions while minimizing systemic exposure. Prior work in related skin diseases supports safety in animal models, guiding the preclinical studies planned for this grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with HS could experience better symptom control with fewer systemic risks and more convenient, localized treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Prior skin disease models (psoriasis, alopecia areata) showed promise with similar hydrogel strategy, supporting a potential path forward.
Where this research is happening
-
Incuta Therapeutics LLC
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koleng, John Joseph — Incuta Therapeutics LLC
- Study coordinator: Koleng, John Joseph
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Anti-CD38 immunotherapy for severe hidradenitis suppurativa
A new treatment using anti-CD38 therapy is being tested for people with severe hidradenitis suppurativa who have not responded to prior therapies.
-
Botulinum toxin blocks nerve signals to immune cells to treat hidradenitis suppurativa
This NIH grant tests a new approach to hidradenitis suppurativa by using botulinum toxin to interrupt nerve signals that may drive skin inflammation in patients.
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Precision therapies for hidradenitis suppurativa using AI
A doctor-researcher team at UC San Francisco is using advanced computer methods to find personalized drug options to treat hidradenitis suppurativa.
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Whole-genome sequencing to understand hidradenitis suppurativa in diverse groups
Researchers will study the genetic factors that contribute to hidradenitis suppurativa, especially in African American, Hispanic/Latino, and White patients, to better understand why some people are more affected.
-
Understanding the Genes Behind Hidradenitis Suppurativa in teens and young adults
A study to find genetic factors that contribute to hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a painful skin condition that often starts in adolescence and affects many Black individuals.
-
Cortisol Synthesis and HS Tunnel Disease in 3D Skin Models
Aims to understand how cortisol production and signaling affect the painful tunnels in hidradenitis suppurativa using 3D skin models and patient tissue.
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.