Investigating treatments for age-related loss of smell
Official title: Evaluation of siRNA based drugs as pro-regenerative disease-modifying therapeutics for age-related olfactory loss
Funded at Rhino Therapeutics INC · NIH-10820948 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new treatment to help older adults who have trouble smelling due to age, by using special drugs to wake up certain cells in the nose that can help repair the sense of smell.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhino Therapeutics INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilmington, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $295,662 |
| NIH project number | 1R41DC021592-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10820948 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those over 80 years old, who experience reduced or distorted sense of smell.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have age-related smell dysfunction or those with other underlying neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing small interfering RNA (siRNA) based drugs to address presbyosmia, a condition characterized by age-related smell dysfunction. The study aims to activate dormant stem cells in the olfactory epithelium to regenerate olfactory sensory neurons, which are crucial for the sense of smell. By understanding the mechanisms that control these stem cells, the research seeks to provide a therapeutic approach to restore olfactory function in older adults. Patients may be monitored for improvements in their ability to smell and overall quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for older adults suffering from smell dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using siRNA for regenerative therapies is promising, this specific application for presbyosmia is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhino Therapeutics INC
Wilmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wynne, Graham Michael — Rhino Therapeutics INC
- Study coordinator: Wynne, Graham Michael
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.