New antibodies to treat liver fibrosis
Official title: Therapeutic antibodies for treating liver fibrosis
Funded at Abalone Bio, INC. · NIH-10666671 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of treatment using special antibodies to help people with liver fibrosis, a condition that can lead to serious liver problems, and aims to provide a safe option without the side effects of current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Abalone Bio, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Emeryville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $999,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK125191-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10666671 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with liver fibrosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver fibrosis caused by alcohol consumption or other non-targeted conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing therapeutic antibodies specifically designed to treat liver fibrosis, a condition that can lead to cirrhosis and is currently without approved drug treatments. The approach involves creating antibodies that selectively target the CB2 receptor, which plays a role in reducing liver fibrosis while avoiding the side effects associated with other treatments. By using a proprietary antibody discovery platform, the researchers aim to produce a long-lasting and safe treatment option that does not cross the blood-brain barrier, minimizing potential neurological side effects. Patients will be monitored for improvements in liver function and fibrosis progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients suffering from liver fibrosis and related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using cannabinoid receptor agonists for liver fibrosis, but this specific antibody approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Abalone Bio, INC.
Emeryville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwimmer, Lauren Jennifer — Abalone Bio, INC.
- Study coordinator: Schwimmer, Lauren Jennifer
Related research
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A study in adults looks at how the enzyme HK2 helps drive liver scarring in NASH and may influence the development of liver cancer, with potential to point to new treatments.
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.