Safety testing of an antibody therapy injected into the spine for spinal cord injury

Preclinical Toxicology Study of Intrathecal VersaMab-101 for spinal cord injury treatment

['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] · VERSAPEUTICS INC · NIH-11193847

Checking whether an antibody medicine given into the spinal canal is safe and could help people with spinal cord injuries.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_SBIR_2']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorVERSAPEUTICS INC (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11193847 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers are giving an experimental antibody (VersaMab-101) into the spinal canal in laboratory tests to learn how it behaves and whether it causes harm. The work uses preclinical toxicology studies, mainly in animals, to measure side effects, safe dose ranges, and how the drug distributes near the injured spinal cord. The approach aims to reduce molecular signals that block nerve regrowth after injury by targeting the Wnt–Ryk pathway. Results will determine if the treatment is safe enough to move on to human clinical trials.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: In future clinical trials, the most likely candidates would be adults with recent (acute), incomplete spinal cord injuries who may still have potential for nerve recovery.

Not a fit: People with long-standing, chronic complete spinal cord transections are less likely to benefit from this therapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help damaged nerves regrow and improve recovery of movement and function after spinal cord injury.

How similar studies have performed: Related strategies blocking the Wnt–Ryk pathway have shown promise in animal studies, but no antibody treatment for spinal cord injury is yet proven in humans.

Where this research is happening

SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.