On-demand fast-acting drug to trigger bladder and bowel emptying
Preclinical and Early Clinical Development of a Novel Drug for On-Demand Voiding
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.
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 ID | NIH-11299473 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program is developing DTI-117, a drug designed to produce rapid (<5 min) and short-lived (<10 min) bladder and colorectal contractions to restore on-demand voiding for people with neurogenic or age-related loss of control. Preclinical work includes lab and animal studies and tests on human tissue showing that activating neurokinin 2 receptors causes forceful bladder and colon contractions. The plan is to complete preclinical safety work, file an IND, and carry out a Phase I clinical trial to test safety and initial effects in people. Early human testing will determine whether the drug can be given by practical routes (for example intramuscular, sublingual, intranasal) and produce reliable short-term voiding.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with loss of voluntary bladder or bowel control from conditions such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spina bifida, stroke, diabetes, or age-related decline who are seeking on-demand voiding options.
Not a fit: People whose incontinence is due to structural blockages, severe bowel obstruction, uncontrolled infection, or who have medical contraindications to NK2R agonists may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could allow people with impaired bladder or bowel control to trigger rapid, temporary emptying on demand and reduce accidents or dependence on catheters.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies in animals and human tissues have shown NK2R agonists can produce strong bladder and colon contractions, but human clinical benefit has not yet been established and Phase I testing is just beginning.
Where this research is happening
Research Triangle Park, United States
- Dignify Therapeutics, LLC — Research Triangle Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burgard, Edward — Dignify Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Burgard, Edward
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 below.