Using inhaled Pitavastatin to treat asthma

Inhaled Pitavastatin for the Treatment of Asthma: A New Therapeutic Paradigm

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-11120772

This study is exploring a new way to help people with asthma by using an inhaled version of a medication called Pitavastatin, which could improve breathing and reduce asthma attacks.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11120772 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of inhaled Pitavastatin as a new treatment option for asthma, aiming to improve symptom control and reduce acute exacerbations. The study focuses on developing a proprietary formulation of Pitavastatin for inhalation, as previous oral forms have shown poor effectiveness in reaching the airways. By testing this formulation in a human-relevant asthma model using non-human primates, the researchers hope to gather critical data before moving on to human clinical trials. This innovative approach seeks to leverage the anti-inflammatory properties of statins to provide better asthma management.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who suffer from asthma and have not achieved adequate control with current therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with asthma who are not responsive to inhaled therapies or those with contraindications to statins may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective inhaled therapy for asthma, improving quality of life for patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of statins for asthma treatment has shown promise in pre-clinical models, this inhaled delivery method is a novel approach that has not yet been tested in human populations.

Where this research is happening

Davis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.