NIH-funded research Sbir 2 grant

Resolvin E1 (TP-317) treatment for pancreatic cancer

Official title: Development of a Novel Resolvin-Based Therapy for Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Funded at Thetis Pharmaceuticals, LLC · NIH-11351574 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project is developing a new drug called TP-317, based on a natural molecule (Resolvin E1), to reduce tumor growth and tumor-related inflammation in people with pancreatic cancer.

More Pancreatic Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionThetis Pharmaceuticals, LLC
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Deep River, United States)
Project startJune 2, 2023
Project endMay 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$1,725,203
NIH project number4R44CA278026-02
Project IDNIH-11351574 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates would be people with pancreatic cancer—particularly those with advanced or chemo-resistant disease—though this grant supports preclinical work and any patient participation would occur later in clinical trials.

Less likely to help

People without pancreatic cancer, or those seeking an immediately available treatment, will not benefit from this preclinical program until human trials are completed and the drug is approved.

What this research studies

Researchers are developing TP-317, a drug based on Resolvin E1 that helps clear dead cell debris and calm harmful inflammation in tumors. Early animal studies show TP-317 can slow tumor growth, boost anti-tumor immune responses, and add benefit when given with chemotherapy. This R44 grant funds key preclinical safety, dosing, and efficacy studies in animals needed to support an IND application. If those studies succeed, TP-317 could move into human clinical trials for people with pancreatic cancer.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, TP-317 could slow tumor growth, improve the immune response against pancreatic tumors, and make chemotherapy more effective, potentially improving survival and reducing side effects.

How similar studies have gone: Related laboratory and animal studies show Resolvin E1 can reduce inflammation and suppress tumors and may boost chemotherapy effects, but human benefit has not yet been proven.

Where this research is happening

  • Thetis Pharmaceuticals, LLC
    Deep River, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Parkinson, John — Thetis Pharmaceuticals, LLC
  • Study coordinator: Parkinson, John

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.