Using oral nitrous oxide to relieve pain in sickle cell disease
Official title: Oral N2O Therapy in Treating Acute Vaso-Occlusive Pain in Sickle Cell Disease
Funded at Hillhurst Biopharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-10699586 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new pill form of nitrous oxide to help people with sickle cell disease manage their severe pain at home, making it easier and more convenient than the usual gas treatments given in hospitals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hillhurst Biopharmaceuticals, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Montrose, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $728,111 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3NS127943-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10699586 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with sickle cell disease who experience vaso-occlusive crises.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have sickle cell disease or who do not experience vaso-occlusive crises may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new oral formulation of nitrous oxide (N2O) called HBI-201, designed to treat acute pain from vaso-occlusive crises in patients with sickle cell disease. The study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this oral medication, which could allow patients to manage their pain at home rather than relying on inhaled gas treatments typically administered in emergency settings. By overcoming the limitations of current inhaled N2O therapies, this research seeks to provide a more accessible and controlled pain relief option for patients experiencing severe pain episodes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a convenient and effective home treatment option for managing acute pain in sickle cell disease patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with inhaled nitrous oxide for pain management, but this oral formulation represents a novel approach that has not yet been tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Hillhurst Biopharmaceuticals, INC.
Montrose, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gomperts, Edward — Hillhurst Biopharmaceuticals, INC.
- Study coordinator: Gomperts, Edward
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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.