Making medicines work better by activating them only where needed

Discovery of solubilizing side chains for in vivo release of diverse drug classes using the Click Activated Protodrugs (CAP) platform

['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] · TAMBO, INC. · NIH-11146646

This project is creating a new way to deliver medicines directly to where they're needed in the body, helping to reduce unwanted side effects for people taking various drugs, including those for cancer.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_SBIR_2']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorTAMBO, INC. (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11146646 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Many medicines spread throughout the body, causing side effects in healthy tissues because they aren't specific enough. This project is developing a special system called CAP (Click Activated Protodrugs) that can turn drugs on only at the exact site of a problem, like a tumor. This approach aims to make medicines more effective while greatly reducing harmful side effects. It could also help bring back promising drugs that were previously set aside due to their side effects.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients who could benefit from this research are those with conditions requiring potent medications, such as cancer, where current treatments often cause significant side effects.

Not a fit: Patients whose conditions do not require targeted drug delivery or who are not taking medications with significant systemic side effects may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects for many diseases, potentially allowing patients to tolerate higher, more effective doses of their medication.

How similar studies have performed: While other methods for targeted drug delivery have had limited success due to patient variability, this new CAP platform uses a unique activation method designed to be consistent across different individuals.

Where this research is happening

SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Anti-Cancer Agents

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.