New oral therapy for IBS-related abdominal pain using a TNF-α–neutralizing probiotic
Official title: A novel oral immunotherapy for chronic visceral pain of irritable bowel syndrome
Funded at Fzata, INC. · NIH-11190585 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new oral biotherapeutic pill made from a probiotic yeast targets gut inflammation to relieve chronic abdominal pain in people with irritable bowel syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fzata, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Halethorpe, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,058,422 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3NS135350-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11190585 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with irritable bowel syndrome experiencing chronic visceral pain who can tolerate an oral biologic therapy.
✕Less likely to help
People without IBS-related visceral pain or with contraindications to probiotic therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests an oral probiotic therapy called FZ006 that delivers a TNF-α neutralizing antibody directly in the gut to reduce nerve sensitization and pain in IBS. Researchers will use preclinical models and early human studies to understand how the therapy affects gut inflammation and pain signaling, aiming to minimize reliance on opioids and other treatments with harmful side effects. The study will monitor safety, tolerability, and changes in pain measures, along with biomarkers of gut inflammation. If successful, the approach could offer a targeted, non-systemic option for IBS pain that patients can take at home. The work is designed to translate promising lab findings into a potential new treatment path for IBS patients who suffer from chronic visceral pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with IBS could have a new, easier-to-use treatment that reduces abdominal pain and may lower reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical and limited clinical data suggest that targeting gut TNF-α can reduce gut pain signals, but this specific probiotic therapy is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Fzata, INC.
Halethorpe, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Zhiyong — Fzata, INC.
- Study coordinator: Yang, Zhiyong
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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.