Second-generation BLVRB inhibitors to help chemotherapy patients with low platelets
Official title: Development of Second Generation BLVRB Inhibitors for Treating Chemotherapy Induced Thrombocytopenia
Funded at Blood Cell Technologies, LLC · NIH-11457446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new drug candidate is being developed to raise platelet counts in patients whose cancer treatment lowers them, reducing bleeding risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Blood Cell Technologies, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $875,125 |
| NIH project number | 4R44CA302180-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing chemotherapy for hematologic cancers or solid tumors who develop or are at high risk of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chemotherapy-induced platelet declines or do not meet study-specific criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
Chemotherapy can cause dangerous drops in platelets, making bleeding more likely for many patients. This project aims to refine a previously tested BLVRB inhibitor into a second-generation compound that works better and has suitable drug-like properties. Researchers will use computer modeling to optimize potency and behavior in the body, then test the lead compound in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced low platelets to establish a safe and effective dose range. The work builds on prior animal data showing platelet increases and moves toward a lead drug candidate that could be tested in people in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the lead compound could become a treatment to prevent or lessen low platelet counts during chemotherapy, potentially reducing bleeding risk.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies showed that a BLVRB inhibitor increased platelet numbers in mice, supporting this approach; this is a next-step in the development pipeline.
Where this research is happening
-
Blood Cell Technologies, LLC
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nesbitt, Natasha M. — Blood Cell Technologies, LLC
- Study coordinator: Nesbitt, Natasha M.
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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.