On-demand drug to restore bladder and bowel control
Official title: Preclinical and Early Clinical Development of a Novel Drug for On-Demand Voiding
Funded at Dignify Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11593930 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new drug-based approach aims to quickly restore voluntary voiding in people with spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and related conditions who struggle with urinary and fecal incontinence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dignify Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $94,793 |
| NIH project number | 3U44NS129628-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11593930 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spina bifida, stroke, or age-related or diabetic incontinence affecting bladder and/or bowel function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without neurogenic or age-related incontinence or those without access to future trials may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project advances an on-demand, fast-acting therapy designed to quickly induce bladder and bowel contractions to help people regain voluntary control. It plans preclinical development and then an initial human trial of DTI-117, with the goal of an IND filing and a Phase I study. Researchers will test NK2R-activating compounds in lab and animal models and in human tissues to demonstrate safety and potential effectiveness. If successful, this work could lead to a new option for managing incontinence and retention in a broad range of neurologic and age-related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience more reliable and quicker control of urination and defecation, improving independence and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior lab and tissue studies support NK2R activation to trigger bowel and bladder contractions, with progression to early clinical testing anticipated here.
Where this research is happening
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Dignify Therapeutics, LLC
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burgard, Edward — Dignify Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Burgard, Edward
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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On-demand fast-acting drug to trigger bladder and bowel emptying
A fast-acting medicine for people with nerve-related loss of bladder or bowel control that could trigger quick, short episodes of urination or defecation when needed.
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Long-lasting bladder treatment for urinary leaks and urgency in older adults
This project is creating bladder-instilled medicines that aim to give months of relief from urinary leaks and urgent urges in older adults who haven't been helped by current treatments.
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Development of a new drug to help control bowel and bladder function
This study is testing a new drug called DTI-117 that hopes to help people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, or stroke regain control over their bowel and bladder functions, making it easier for them to manage incontinence and retention issues.
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Treatment for fecal incontinence and urgency
This study is looking at new ways to help people with fecal incontinence and urgency, especially older adults and those with neurological issues, by exploring how certain nerves in the colon work and how blocking them might make things better, giving participants a chance to help create better treatments for everyday l
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.