Targeting Myosin to Treat Polycystic Kidney Disease
Funded at Plurexa LLC · NIH-11416614 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach tests drugs that activate a motor protein called NMII to slow or stop kidney cyst growth in people with polycystic kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Plurexa LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 12, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $770,372 |
| NIH project number | 5R42DK136452-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416614 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with polycystic kidney disease who could benefit from alternative therapeutic options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without PKD or those unlikely to respond to NMII-activating strategies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses human kidney organoids and mouse models to study how activating NMII, a cellular motor, affects PKD cyst formation. Researchers created a pipeline from computer modeling to animal studies to identify NMII-activating compounds as potential therapies. If successful, the work could point to new treatment options that complement current therapies and reduce disease progression. The study is led by Plurexa LLC with a focus on translating lab findings into real-world benefits for PKD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potentially new drugs that slow cyst growth and improve quality of life for PKD patients.
How similar studies have gone: Early organoid and animal studies suggest NMII activation can modulate PKD cyst growth, indicating a plausible path forward.
Where this research is happening
-
Plurexa LLC
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Freedman, Benjamin Solomon — Plurexa LLC
- Study coordinator: Freedman, Benjamin Solomon
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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.