Targeting antibodies to bone to treat osteoporosis
Official title: Optimizing bone surface targeting of therapeutic antibodies for osteoporosis
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11332431 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher team is testing bone-targeted antibodies to improve osteoporosis treatment by delivering medicine directly to bone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | May 6, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $444,609 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR085170-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332431 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with osteoporosis or at risk for osteoporotic fractures who could benefit from improved antibody therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without osteoporosis or those not candidates for antibody-based therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to make osteoporosis therapies safer and more effective by concentrating antibodies at bone surfaces. They will study how well a bone-targeted antibody against sclerostin behaves in healthy and osteoporosis-like mice, adjusting how the drug travels and acts. If successful, they will test the best formulation in animal models of osteoporosis and extend the approach to other antibodies. The work could lead to less frequent dosing and fewer side effects for people with osteoporosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with osteoporosis could receive more effective, safer treatments with fewer injections.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that targeting antibodies to bone can enhance efficacy and reduce required doses in animals.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greineder, Colin Fred — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Greineder, Colin Fred
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Or olive-oil derived compound to prevent bone loss in women
A safe, orally taken nutraceutical may help prevent osteoporosis in adult women by supporting bone formation and reducing bone loss.
-
When to stop, switch, or pause long-term osteoporosis medicines for older adults
This project looks at whether stopping, switching, or taking breaks from long-term osteoporosis drugs changes fracture risk and side effects for older adults.
-
Cortical Bone Mechanics Technology to better screen for osteoporosis
A new noninvasive test called CBMT uses ulnar flexural rigidity to predict fracture risk better than standard bone density tests, helping adults who may be at risk for osteoporosis.
-
Gene therapy for osteoporosis linked to ALDH2 deficiency in postmenopausal East Asian women
A gene therapy approach is being developed to reduce osteoporosis risk in postmenopausal East Asian women who have ALDH2 deficiency and drink alcohol.
-
Metabolomics clues to osteoporosis risk in diverse populations
A study using small molecules in blood samples to understand osteoporosis risk, with a focus on aging, ethnicity, and sex differences.
-
Single-Cell Study of Bone Cells to Understand Osteoporosis
Researchers will study individual bone-related cells from people to uncover why aging leads to weaker bones and higher fracture risk.
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.