Topical endocannabinoid gel to help cutaneous lupus lesions
Official title: Phase 2: Development of an endocannabinoid microparticle formulation for the topical treatment of cutaneous manifestations of lupus erythematosus
Funded at Atticus Pharma INC · NIH-11406639 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly topical treatment using an endocannabinoid in a special particle formulation aims to improve skin lesions from cutaneous lupus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Atticus Pharma INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Greenville, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,007,121 |
| NIH project number | 1R44AR087266-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406639 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cutaneous lupus lesions who are considering topical treatment options may be eligible in later phases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not affected by cutaneous lupus or those with lesions outside the scope of topical therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports developing a skin-delivery system for an endocannabinoid that can help manage the inflammatory skin lesions seen in cutaneous lupus. Researchers will create a topical formulation that can better deliver the active compound into the outer skin layers and reduce inflammation. The project will test how well this formulation works in improving skin symptoms and may evaluate safety in early human use. The goal is to provide a new, less burdensome treatment option for people living with CLE.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this topical treatment could reduce skin lesions and improve quality of life for people with cutaneous lupus.
How similar studies have gone: Similar endocannabinoid topical approaches have shown promise in improving skin inflammation in other conditions, but this specific delivery system for CLE is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Atticus Pharma INC
Greenville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Draganski, Andrew R — Atticus Pharma INC
- Study coordinator: Draganski, Andrew R
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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.