New peptide medicines to help cystic fibrosis–related diabetes
Official title: Novel peptide therapeutics to treat cystic fibrosis-related diabetes
Funded at Eldec Pharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-11424457 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, patient-friendly study tests new peptide-based therapies aimed at improving insulin production and reducing pancreatic inflammation in people with CFRD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Eldec Pharmaceuticals, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 12, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $907,989 |
| NIH project number | 4R42DK145320-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424457 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are individuals with cystic fibrosis who have CFRD, across adolescence and adulthood.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals may not experience direct benefit if the therapy does not affect their CFRD biology or if side effects occur.
What this research studies
If you have CFRD, this project looks at new peptide-based drugs that may calm harmful cellular signals in the pancreas and support healthy insulin-making cells. Researchers are using a model that mimics CF-related pancreatic issues and testing an antagonist named ELD607 to block a specific calcium channel called Orai1, which appears to contribute to inflammation and damage. The goal is to slow or prevent worsening CFRD and its impact on lung health, with the potential to translate findings into safer, more effective treatments. The study period runs from 2025 to 2028 and will involve careful safety and biomarker monitoring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could reduce pancreatic inflammation and improve insulin secretion in CFRD, potentially slowing disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests targeting Orai1 can reduce pancreatic inflammation, but this specific peptide therapy is new and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Eldec Pharmaceuticals, INC.
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schotzinger, Robert — Eldec Pharmaceuticals, INC.
- Study coordinator: Schotzinger, Robert
Related research
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This study is looking at how cystic fibrosis-related diabetes might affect lung health in adults with cystic fibrosis, and it hopes to find new ways to help improve lung function beyond just controlling blood sugar.
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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.