Non-viral gene therapy to treat and prevent atherosclerosis (for patients)
Official title: Non-viral gene therapy to treat and prevent atherosclerosis
Funded at Emmune, INC · NIH-11419318 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small biotechnology study is testing a non-viral DNA delivery method using lipid nanoparticles to help prevent and treat atherosclerosis in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emmune, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Juno Beach, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $299,664 |
| NIH project number | 1R44HL184837-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419318 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or at risk of ASCVD who could participate in future gene-delivery studies once approved.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage preclinical work may not translate to immediate benefit for current patients and might not apply to those without ASCVD.
What this research studies
This project aims to use lipid nanoparticles to deliver therapeutic DNA to muscle cells, with the goal of producing a lasting effect against artery disease. Researchers will first show proof-of-concept in mice, then optimize the DNA delivery to be non-immunogenic and more effective in people. If successful, this approach could lead to a new, potentially longer-lasting treatment to reduce plaque buildup in adults with ASCVD. The grant focuses on advancing a non-viral method to get therapeutic genes into cells safely, aiming to move toward human studies. The work is funded under a Fast-Track SBIR to accelerate development of a patient-facing therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with ASCVD could gain a new treatment option that reduces plaque formation and lowers cardiovascular risk.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work on non-viral DNA delivery and lipid nanoparticle strategies has shown promise in improving gene transfer, but applying it to ASCVD is still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Emmune, INC
Juno Beach, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alpert, Michael David — Emmune, INC
- Study coordinator: Alpert, Michael David
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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.