Oral pill that boosts CD11b to treat lupus-related kidney inflammation
Official title: Translating oral CD11b agonist as a novel therapeutic for lupus nephritis
Funded at University of Texas Med Br Galveston · NIH-11136537 · Data updated 2026-11-12
An oral pill called ONTEGIMOD aims to activate a protein (CD11b) to reduce kidney inflammation in people with lupus nephritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2011 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $721,611 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK084195-14 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136537 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with systemic lupus erythematosus who have active lupus nephritis—especially those with high interferon or suPAR levels or known ITGAM/CD11b variants—would be the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without lupus kidney involvement, those with non-lupus causes of kidney disease, or individuals without CD11b-related immune dysfunction are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are developing an oral small molecule, ONTEGIMOD, that turns on CD11b, a protein that helps calm overactive immune cells. Some people with lupus nephritis carry CD11b genetic variants that let inflammatory signals run unchecked, raising markers like type I interferon and suPAR linked to kidney damage. The team is using laboratory studies, measurements of patient blood markers, and preclinical models to see whether the drug restores immune control and lowers kidney inflammation. If those results are promising, the work is intended to move the drug toward human testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a more targeted treatment that lowers kidney inflammation and may reduce progression to end-stage kidney disease with fewer broad immunosuppressive side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Modulating innate immune and interferon pathways has shown promise in lupus, but using a small-molecule CD11b activator like ONTEGIMOD is a novel strategy with limited prior human testing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Med Br Galveston
Galveston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gupta, Vineet — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Gupta, Vineet
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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.