Using lipid rafts to improve asthma treatment
Official title: Targeting lipid rafts for treatment of asthma
Funded at Raft Pharmaceuticals, LLC · NIH-11067792 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to help people with severe asthma who still have symptoms even with their current treatments, by targeting specific parts of their lung cells to improve their breathing and reduce flare-ups.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Raft Pharmaceuticals, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | June 20, 2019 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,046,403 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI147879-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067792 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with severe asthma who have not responded well to existing therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild asthma or those who have well-controlled asthma with current treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients with severe asthma who continue to experience symptoms despite current treatments. It aims to develop new therapies that target specific inflammatory processes in the lungs, particularly those involving lipid rafts, which are clusters of cholesterol-rich molecules in cells. By using a molecule called apoA-I binding protein (AIBP), the research seeks to selectively deplete these pathological lipid rafts in immune and bronchial cells, potentially leading to better control of asthma symptoms and fewer exacerbations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for severe asthma, improving patients' quality of life and reducing the frequency of asthma attacks.
How similar studies have gone: While targeting lipid rafts is a novel approach, similar strategies in other inflammatory conditions have shown promise, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Raft Pharmaceuticals, LLC
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kogan, Yakov — Raft Pharmaceuticals, LLC
- Study coordinator: Kogan, Yakov
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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.