Telomere-extending therapy to help alcohol-related liver damage
Official title: Advancing a telomere extension biologic to treat alcohol-associated liver damage to IND
Funded at Rejuvenation Technologies, INC. · NIH-11409838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new treatment uses a telomere-lengthening mRNA delivered to the liver to help people with alcohol-related hepatitis get better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rejuvenation Technologies, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mountain View, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,063,303 |
| NIH project number | 1SB1AA033292-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11409838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcoholic hepatitis or advanced alcoholic liver disease who might be eligible for future trials of telomere-extension therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without alcoholic liver disease or with conditions that preclude receiving mRNA therapies or LNP-based delivery.
What this research studies
This project aims to translate a telomere-extending therapy (TERT mRNA) into a liver-targeted treatment for alcoholic hepatitis, a life-threatening liver disease. It uses hepatocyte-targeted lipid nanoparticles to deliver the mRNA intravenously, with the goal of supporting liver regeneration and reducing failure. If successful, the approach could offer a new option for patients who currently have limited effective treatments. The grant supports preclinical development and translation toward an investigational new drug submission.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with alcoholic hepatitis could have improved liver function and survival.
How similar studies have gone: Early work suggests telomere length influences liver regeneration, and this therapy builds on those concepts, but this exact approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Rejuvenation Technologies, INC.
Mountain View, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramunas, John — Rejuvenation Technologies, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ramunas, John
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Tools to safely translate RNA LNP therapies to people
A project to improve how intravenously given RNA LNP medicines can be used in patients by reducing immune reactions and making delivery safer.
-
Improving RNA therapies delivered through intravenous infusion
This study is looking at a new way to help people with age-related diseases, like liver and lung issues, by using special tiny particles to deliver a treatment that can help repair cells and improve their health without causing unwanted immune reactions.
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Using lipid nanoparticles to extend telomeres for treating alcoholic hepatitis
This study is testing a new treatment for alcoholic hepatitis that uses tiny particles to deliver a special type of genetic material to help heal liver cells, with the hope of improving liver health for people struggling with this condition.
-
Improving delivery of mRNA to stem and progenitor cells for better health.
This study is exploring a new way to deliver a special type of mRNA to help your body's cells heal and regenerate better, which could be really helpful for people dealing with age-related health issues or organ problems.
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.