New treatment for diabetic retinopathy using a low dose carbon monoxide drug
Official title: HBI-002 to Treat Diabetic Retinopathy
Funded at Hillhurst Biopharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-10918666 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new oral medication called HBI-002 that uses tiny amounts of carbon monoxide to help protect your eyes from damage caused by diabetic retinopathy, with the hope of offering a new treatment option to prevent vision loss for people with diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hillhurst Biopharmaceuticals, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Montrose, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $950,200 |
| NIH project number | 2R44EY033264-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10918666 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with diabetic retinopathy who are at risk of vision loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetic retinopathy or those with other unrelated eye conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing HBI-002, a novel oral drug that delivers low doses of carbon monoxide to treat diabetic retinopathy, a serious eye condition caused by diabetes. The study aims to advance this treatment through preclinical testing in animal models to ensure its safety and effectiveness before moving to human clinical trials. The approach is based on previous findings that low doses of carbon monoxide can protect against damage in various diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. Patients may benefit from a new therapeutic option that could prevent vision loss associated with this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for preventing blindness in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with low dose carbon monoxide in treating various conditions, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Hillhurst Biopharmaceuticals, INC.
Montrose, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gomperts, Edward — Hillhurst Biopharmaceuticals, INC.
- Study coordinator: Gomperts, Edward
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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.