Therapeutic development of RyR2-inhibiting flecainide analogs for arrhythmia prevention
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11028804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Vanderbilt-led project aims to develop flecainide-like drugs that specifically calm the RyR2 channel to prevent dangerous heart rhythms in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $856,721 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL177564-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11028804 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with conditions linked to ventricular arrhythmias or RyR2-related cardiac dysfunction who could benefit from safer antiarrhythmic therapy in future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without RyR2-related arrhythmias or without risk of ventricular arrhythmias may not benefit from this drug development approach.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating and testing flecainide-derived compounds that inhibit the RyR2 calcium channel in heart cells, with the goal of stopping ventricular arrhythmias that can lead to sudden cardiac death. The team will explore how these analogs affect calcium release in heart tissue and whether they can prevent dangerous rhythms while reducing side effects seen with older drugs. Studies will involve model systems and human-relevant experiments to identify promising candidates for future clinical testing. If successful, this work could pave the way for safer, more effective treatments for patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients at risk of sudden cardiac death could have a new medication option that reduces arrhythmia risk with fewer harmful effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests RyR2 modulation by flecainide contributes to antiarrhythmic effects, supporting continued drug development in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knollmann, Bjorn C — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Knollmann, Bjorn C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how heart nerves affect dangerous heart rhythms after a heart attack
This NIH grant studies how changes in the heart’s nerve signaling after a heart attack lead to dangerous rhythm problems, with the goal of finding ways to prevent them.
-
Dexterous needle ablation for ventricular arrhythmia guided by MRI
A new MRI-guided, robot-assisted catheter delivers deeper heart tissue ablation to treat ventricular tachycardia.
-
Sex-specific heart cell signaling and rhythm problems linked to a heart failure drug target
A study from UCLA aims to understand how a key heart signaling pathway controls heart beating and rhythm differently in men and women with heart failure.
-
Additive-made wearable magnetic sensors for heart monitoring with AI
A wearable system using affordable, 3D-printed sensors and machine learning to help detect heart rhythm problems in people.
-
Understanding fat deposits after heart attack and their link to dangerous heart rhythms
A Penn Medicine team is studying how fat buildup in the heart after a heart attack may influence dangerous heart rhythms and recovery.
-
Developing 3D Real-Time CMR for Arrhythmia Imaging
Aims to make real-time 3D heart MRI usable for people with irregular heartbeats to improve how doctors see arrhythmias.
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.