New treatment for calcific aortic valve disease

Small molecule therapeutic for calcific aortic valve disease

NIH-funded research J. David Gladstone Institutes · NIH-11085293

This study is looking for a new medicine to help people with calcific aortic valve disease, a heart problem that gets more common as we age, by using special cells from patients to find ways to stop heart valve cells from turning into bone-like cells, which causes the disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJ. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11085293 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a small molecule therapeutic to treat calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), a condition that leads to severe heart issues and is increasingly common as the population ages. The approach involves using patient-specific cells to understand how valve cells transform into bone-like cells, which contributes to the disease. By screening a library of small molecules, researchers aim to identify compounds that can correct the underlying cellular changes associated with CAVD. This innovative strategy could provide a non-surgical treatment option for patients suffering from this condition.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults with calcific aortic valve disease, particularly those with a bicuspid aortic valve or genetic predispositions to the condition.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced calcific aortic valve disease who are not candidates for medical therapy or those who have already undergone valve replacement may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new medical therapy that prevents or slows the progression of calcific aortic valve disease, reducing the need for surgical valve replacement.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using small molecules to target cellular mechanisms in heart diseases, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.