IP6K1-targeted medicines to treat fatty liver (NAFLD/NASH)
Official title: Novel IP6K1 inhibitors for treatment of NAFLD/NASH
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11258507 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Developing new medicines that block IP6K1 to lower liver fat, reduce inflammation, and improve metabolism in people with NAFLD/NASH.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $632,379 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK137824-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11258507 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with confirmed NAFLD or NASH, particularly those with obesity and insulin resistance, would be the most likely candidates for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People whose liver disease is caused primarily by other factors (such as viral hepatitis or alcohol) or those with advanced cirrhosis may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are designing and optimizing drugs that inhibit the IP6K1 enzyme, which helps control fat storage, insulin signaling, and inflammation. They will test these compounds in laboratory cells and animal models to measure effects on liver fat, inflammation, and fibrosis and to check safety and how the drugs are absorbed. The team will use biochemical and cellular assays plus bioavailability studies to pick the best candidate compounds. If a lead candidate looks safe and effective in these tests, it could be moved into human trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to a new medicine that reduces liver fat, inflammation, and scarring in people with NAFLD/NASH.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work targeting IP6K1 has shown promise in animal models for reducing obesity-related liver disease, but human testing of IP6K1 inhibitors is still new.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Xiaodong — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Wang, Xiaodong
Related research
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Small blood particle signals and fatty liver in children and teens
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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.