New treatment for tendon deterioration using exosomes
Official title: Exosome drug for tendinopathy
Funded at New York/r&d/ctr/translational Med/ther · NIH-10921023 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment called Altenex, which uses tiny particles from human stem cells to help heal painful tendon injuries and improve how they work, giving hope to people with tendinopathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York/r&d/ctr/translational Med/ther NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Rochelle, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $766,269 |
| NIH project number | 1R44AG084503-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10921023 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing chronic tendinopathy, particularly those with pain and functional impairment in their tendons.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute tendon injuries or those who do not have a diagnosis of tendinopathy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel biologic drug called Altenex, which utilizes exosomes derived from human bone marrow stem cells to treat tendinopathy, a painful condition affecting tendons. The approach involves culturing these stem cells on specialized 3D scaffolds that mimic the natural environment of tendons, promoting the production of therapeutic exosomes. By injecting these exosomes directly into affected tendons, the goal is to reduce pain and improve tendon healing and function. This innovative method aims to provide a disease-modifying treatment where none currently exists.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could offer a safe and effective treatment option for patients suffering from tendinopathy, potentially improving their quality of life and physical performance.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using stem cell-derived exosomes for tissue repair, indicating that this approach may be effective for treating tendinopathy as well.
Where this research is happening
-
New York/r&d/ctr/translational Med/ther
New Rochelle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fung, David T — New York/r&d/ctr/translational Med/ther
- Study coordinator: Fung, David T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Personalized Achilles tendon rehab: how loading in daily life affects healing
A person with mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy could benefit from a personalized rehab plan based on how their daily activities load the tendon.
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Achilles Tendinopathy Center of Translation
A center-led program aims to uncover basic science and translational tools to improve care for people with Achilles tendinopathy.
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Understanding the muscle-subtendon units in Achilles tendinopathy
This project explores why Achilles tendinopathy affects people differently by looking closely at the ankle’s tendon structure and how it responds to treatments.
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Exosome-based biologic treatment for tendinopathy
A new exosome-based therapy called Altenex aims to treat tendinopathy safely and effectively in adults.
-
Quantifying Achilles Tendon Stress in Dancers to Prevent Tendinopathy
Aimed at female ballet dancers, this project will measure Achilles tendon stress during dance and develop better tools to monitor pain and guide injury prevention and recovery.
-
Role of CaV1.2 calcium channels in Achilles tendinopathy
This grant explores how a calcium channel called CaV1.2 may drive tendinopathy in the Achilles tendon and what this could mean for new treatments.
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.