New oral gel platform to deliver medicine in the gut
Official title: New Drug Delivery Strategy for Gut Microbiome
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11429143 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new oral inulin gel delivery system is being developed to release medicines in the gut and shape the gut microbiome for better immune balance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $552,772 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EB039718-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11429143 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with gut-related immune conditions or allergies where oral therapies could modulate the gut environment and immune responses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without gut-related immune issues or those not eligible for oral therapy modalities may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create an inulin gel that can release therapeutic agents directly in the gastrointestinal tract. The approach focuses on gut microbiome modulation and local immune effects to achieve lasting protection. Because the gel uses FDA-approved components and can be manufactured at scale, it holds promise for translating to patient care. The team will explore how this platform can induce antigen-specific tolerance and reduce harmful immune responses in the gut.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more effective, targeted gut therapies with fewer systemic side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests inulin gel constructs can modulate the immune system and tolerance, indicating potential but requires broader validation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moon, James J. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Moon, James J.
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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.