New TREM-1 therapy for inflammatory bowel disease
Funded at Signablok, INC. · NIH-11387185 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new peptide-based therapy targeting the inflammatory TREM-1 pathway could help people with inflammatory bowel disease who don’t respond well to current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Signablok, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $353,264 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DK148026-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387185 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) who have limited response or intolerance to current therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without inflammatory bowel disease or those whose disease has different inflammatory pathways may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports developing a new, well-tolerated treatment for inflammatory bowel disease by blocking TREM-1, a molecule that amplifies gut inflammation. The project uses animal models and human data to test a ligand-independent peptide, GF9, that interferes with TREM-1 signaling. Researchers aim to show reduced intestinal inflammation and improved tolerance compared with existing therapies. If successful, this approach could lead to safer, more effective options for UC and Crohn’s disease patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with inflammatory bowel disease could experience better control of symptoms and fewer side effects from treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous TREM-1 blockers showed reduced inflammation in animals, but this ligand-independent peptide is a novel approach needing further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Signablok, INC.
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sigalov, Alexander B — Signablok, INC.
- Study coordinator: Sigalov, Alexander B
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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.