Targeting GATA3 to develop new therapies for Th2-driven diseases like ulcerative colitis
Official title: Targeting GATA3 as a therapeutic strategy in Th2-driven diseases
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11443184 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to create a first-in-class drug approach that reduces harmful Th2 immune activity by degrading GATA3 to help people with ulcerative colitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $536,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21TR006419-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11443184 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with ulcerative colitis or related Th2-driven inflammatory conditions could benefit from advances stemming from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People whose disease is not driven by GATA3-related pathways or who do not respond to degrader-based therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a condition called ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease that affects many people and is hard to control for some. Researchers are developing small molecules that can degrade the GATA3 protein, a key driver of Th2 inflammation, and testing them in preclinical models. If successful, these degraders could reprogram immune cells to reduce bowel inflammation and improve response where current therapies fail. The work uses innovative chemistry to target a difficult part of the immune system, with in vivo testing planned to show real-world potential. The ultimate goal is to lay the groundwork for new, more effective treatments for UC and related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could offer a new treatment option for UC patients who do not respond well to existing drugs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that targeting GATA3 can affect colitis in models, and this project builds on that by using a novel degrader platform to translate to in vivo activity.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Eric — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Wang, Eric
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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.