New topical immune-calming cream for psoriasis
Official title: A First-in-class Topical Immunoregulatory Therapeutic for Psoriasis
Funded at Biotherapeutics, INC. · NIH-11254767 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new topical medicine designed to calm skin inflammation for people with psoriasis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Biotherapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,854,342 |
| NIH project number | 2R44AR083730-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11254767 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with plaque psoriasis who prefer or require topical therapy, particularly those who have had tolerability or access issues with systemic biologics.
✕Less likely to help
People with very severe, widespread psoriasis needing systemic biologic therapy or with non-plaque forms like erythrodermic psoriasis may not benefit from a topical-only treatment.
What this research studies
A small biotech is developing a first-in-class topical medicine aimed at reducing the red, scaly plaques and itching of psoriasis. So far the treatment lowered disease signs and inflammation in mouse models, and this project will measure how the drug distributes in skin and body and how well it controls skin inflammation in preclinical tests. The team will run pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies and continue efficacy testing in disease models to guide safe dosing. These results are intended to support the move toward early human trials if the preclinical data remain promising.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could offer a safer, effective topical option that reduces plaques and itching with fewer systemic side effects than some current treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Existing topical steroids and systemic biologics help many people, and this new approach showed promising results in animal studies but has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Biotherapeutics, INC.
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tubau-Juni, Nuria — Biotherapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Tubau-Juni, Nuria
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Testing antiplatelet approaches in psoriasis to improve blood vessel health
A study at NYU School of Medicine will test antiplatelet strategies to reduce heart and blood vessel risk in adults with psoriasis.
-
Topical immunoregulatory therapy for psoriasis
A new topical treatment for psoriasis is being developed to safely reduce skin symptoms and improve quality of life.
-
Understanding psoriasis genetic signals across diverse populations
A study to uncover the genetic factors behind psoriasis in African American people using advanced genomic and epigenetic methods.
-
SerpinB3 and keratinocytes: a new path to understanding psoriasis
This NIH grant explores how a keratinocyte protein called SerpinB3 may drive plaque psoriasis, with the hope of finding new treatments for people with moderate-to-severe disease.
-
Role of a skin protein in psoriasis-related diabetes
A study explores how a skin inflammation signal may contribute to developing type 2 diabetes in people with psoriasis.
-
How satisfied people with plaque psoriasis are with their treatments
This project will try a new questionnaire called DermSat to measure treatment satisfaction among people with plaque psoriasis.
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.