Precision CAR-NK therapy to selectively remove autoreactive B cells in autoimmune diseases
Official title: Precision CAR-NK therapy for VK4-1 autoreactive B cells in autoimmune diseases: advancing treatment with preserved immune function.
Funded at Celdara Medical, LLC · NIH-11315692 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, targeted cell therapy aims to remove disease-causing B cells in lupus while preserving the rest of the immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Celdara Medical, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lebanon, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $320,863 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AI197698-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11315692 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with autoimmune diseases characterized by autoreactive B cells, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, who may be eligible for early-phase CAR-NK–based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without autoreactive B-cell–driven disease or those unable to tolerate cellular therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This SBIR project focuses on developing a precision therapy that targets VK4-1–positive B cells in autoimmune diseases like SLE using CAR-NK cells. The approach combines humanized antibodies against VK4-1 with CAR-NK cell therapy to selectively deplete autoreactive B cells while maintaining overall immune function. It is designed as a Phase I study to establish safety and initial effectiveness and to avoid broad immune suppression. If successful, this could reduce autoimmune flares and long-term complications without the infection risks of current treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients with autoimmune diseases could experience fewer disease flares and less need for broad immunosuppression, improving quality of life and long-term health.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical and early clinical studies of CAR-NK and targeted B-cell therapies have shown promise in selectively modulating immune responses while limiting broad immunosuppression.
Where this research is happening
-
Celdara Medical, LLC
Lebanon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cooper, Colleen Doyle — Celdara Medical, LLC
- Study coordinator: Cooper, Colleen Doyle
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Unified and fair multimodal learning for autoimmune diseases
A patient-friendly AI approach will combine many kinds of health data to improve diagnosis and personalized care for autoimmune diseases, including lupus.
-
Fair combined medical-data models for autoimmune diseases
A new computer model will learn from medical records, tests, scans, genetics, and wearable data to help spot autoimmune diseases earlier in people with symptoms or at higher risk.
-
Non-immunosuppressive, targeted immune therapies for autoimmune diseases
Aims to develop targeted treatments that selectively remove disease-causing B cells in autoimmune conditions like pemphigus vulgaris without broadly weakening the immune system.
-
Home-based monitoring of environmental exposures and biology for autoimmune diseases
This project develops ways for people with autoimmune conditions to collect environmental and biological data at home so researchers can link exposures to health changes over time.
-
Targeting a specific prolactin receptor form to help people with autoimmune diseases and B-cell cancers
A scientist is testing a new approach that targets a particular prolactin receptor to potentially treat autoimmune diseases and certain B-cell cancers.
-
Understanding B cell Behavior in SLE and Other Autoimmune Diseases
Researchers are studying how B cells and their epigenetic marks behave in people with autoimmune diseases like SLE to find new ways to treat these conditions.
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.