New medicine to prevent or lessen painful mouth sores from radiation
Official title: Preclinical assessment of a novel compound for treating radiation-induced oral mucositis
Funded at Sinopia Biosciences, INC. · NIH-11349200 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops a potential drug to prevent or shorten painful mouth sores that happen after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sinopia Biosciences, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $39,650 |
| NIH project number | 3R44DE031464-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11349200 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People receiving radiation to the head or neck who are at risk of developing radiation-induced oral mucositis would be the likely candidates for future clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
People not receiving head/neck radiation or whose mouth sores come from other causes are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are testing a new compound in the lab and in preclinical models to see if it can prevent or heal the inflammation and ulcers that cause oral mucositis after radiation. The project also sponsors double-blind interviews with head and neck cancer specialists and mucositis experts to gather clinical insight. Market research and secondary analyses will define how many patients might benefit, pricing expectations, and the best clinical-development path. Those findings will guide whether and how the company moves the drug into human clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a treatment that reduces the severity and duration of radiation-related mouth sores, easing pain and improving patients' ability to eat, speak, and complete cancer therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Some drugs have shown benefit for mucositis in transplant settings, but there are currently no widely accepted FDA-approved treatments for radiation-induced oral mucositis in solid tumors, so this approach remains relatively novel and unproven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Sinopia Biosciences, INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lloyd, Colton Joseph — Sinopia Biosciences, INC.
- Study coordinator: Lloyd, Colton Joseph
Related research
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Understanding how biological sex affects radiation-induced oral mucositis
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First-in-human topical gel for preventing and treating radiation-induced oral ulcers in cancer patients
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A Duke University-based study looks at how the p53 protein may guard the mouth from radiation-related damage in people with head and neck cancer.
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Prophylactic and therapeutic oral gel to prevent and treat radiation-induced mouth ulcers in cancer patients
A new topical gel shown in animals may prevent or treat painful mouth ulcers caused by cancer radiation therapy, with plans to move toward human testing.
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A new medicine to prevent and treat radiation-related mouth sores
A new oral drug is being developed to prevent or shorten painful mouth sores in people getting radiation to the head and neck.
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Understanding and treating pain and mouth sores from radiation for head and neck cancer
This work explores new ways to relieve the burning pain and mouth sores that often happen after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
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.