MSP68: a new peptide to help GI damage after high radiation
Official title: MSP68 as an effective radiation countermeasure
Funded at Feinstein Institute for Medical Research · NIH-11365962 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new peptide-based medicine (MSP68) is being developed to help people who suffer severe gut damage after large radiation exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Feinstein Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manhasset, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $167,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI193493-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365962 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of or exposed to high-dose radiation who might later benefit from a GI-protective medical countermeasure.
✕Less likely to help
People without radiation exposure or GI complications from radiation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on MSP68, a small peptide designed to mimic a protective protein and reduce gut injury after high-dose radiation. It builds on animal studies showing MSP68 can lessen gut damage, help gut cells recover, and improve survival in irradiated mice. The work involves screening and refining MSP68 as a practical, small-molecule-like treatment that could be used after radiation exposure. The project is conducted in preclinical models to establish how MSP68 works and how it might be used clinically.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, MSP68 could become a protective treatment to reduce GI-ARS sickness and improve survival after radiation exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with MFG-E8 inspired MSP68 and showed protective effects in animal models, suggesting a promising approach that requires further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
Manhasset, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brenner, Max — Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Brenner, Max
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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.