Peptide-based Diagnostic Test for Sarcoidosis
Official title: Peptide-based ELISA for laboratory diagnosis of sarcoidosis
Funded at Kephera Diagnostics, LLC · NIH-11417199 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new test using peptide-based ELISA is being developed to diagnose sarcoidosis, potentially reducing the need for invasive lung biopsies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kephera Diagnostics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Framingham, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,008,567 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HL180181-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417199 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with suspected sarcoidosis or clinicians needing a non-invasive diagnostic option.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without suspected sarcoidosis or those outside the targeted diagnostic pathway may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a peptide-based ELISA test to identify sarcoidosis, a disease that currently lacks a specific biomarker and often requires tissue biopsy for diagnosis. Researchers will build on prior work using a phage display library derived from patient samples to develop a non-invasive diagnostic tool. If successful, the test could help differentiate sarcoidosis from other conditions like tuberculosis and cancer, speeding up accurate diagnosis and guiding treatment. The work is funded through a Direct-to-Phase II initiative and involves collaboration with Wayne State University to translate laboratory findings into a clinical test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may receive faster, less invasive diagnosis and better-informed treatment decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary research using phage display from BAL and blood-derived samples has shown promise in identifying disease-associated biomarkers.
Where this research is happening
-
Kephera Diagnostics, LLC
Framingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levin, Andrew E. — Kephera Diagnostics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Levin, Andrew E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Integrative metabolomics to improve sarcoidosis diagnosis and prognosis
A research project from UCLA aims to find blood-based biomarkers that help diagnose sarcoidosis earlier and predict how it will progress, especially in African American women.
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Predicting Lung Health in Sarcoidosis with Vitamin D Metabolism
Aging individuals with sarcoidosis, especially Black/African American women, may benefit from a clearer plan that uses vitamin D biology to predict and improve lung health.
-
Understanding how inflammation and scarring develop in pulmonary sarcoidosis
A doctor-scientist is studying why some people with sarcoidosis develop dangerous lung scarring and how to prevent it.
-
Molecular markers of progressive pulmonary sarcoidosis
This grant looks at proteins and genes in people with sarcoidosis to find early signs that the disease will worsen from the lungs.
-
Advanced imaging to monitor immune-suppressant therapy in active cardiac sarcoidosis
A patient-focused imaging study to see how MRI and PET 18F-FDG can track how well immune-suppressant treatment is working for active cardiac sarcoidosis.
-
Understanding why sarcoidosis happens and how it affects people using multi-omics
A multi-omics study aims to uncover why sarcoidosis affects people differently and to find biomarkers that predict disease burden.
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.