VV8220 — a gut-targeted CRAC channel medicine for ulcerative colitis
Official title: Predevelopment of VV8220, a Gut-selective CRAC Channel Therapeutic for Ulcerative Colitis
Funded at Vivreon Biosciences, LLC · NIH-11159849 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops an oral, gut-restricted drug called VV8220 to reduce gut inflammation in people with ulcerative colitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vivreon Biosciences, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $999,997 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI165096-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159849 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with active moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis who have inadequate response or loss of response to current treatments would be the likely candidates for future clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
Those with Crohn's disease rather than ulcerative colitis, people whose disease is well controlled with existing therapies, or individuals with contraindications to CRAC inhibition may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are creating an oral medicine designed to act only in the lining of the gut to block CRAC channels on immune cells that drive ulcerative colitis inflammation. They will run laboratory and animal studies to test whether the compound stays localized in the gut, lowers inflammatory signaling, and has an acceptable safety profile. The work includes optimizing the drug formulation, measuring effects on immune cells and inflammatory genes, and checking for unintended systemic exposure. If these preclinical steps succeed, the program could move toward human safety studies and later clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new oral therapy that reduces colon inflammation while limiting systemic side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Targeting CRAC channels is a relatively new strategy and gut-restricted formulations are an emerging idea with limited but encouraging preclinical data rather than extensive clinical success so far.
Where this research is happening
-
Vivreon Biosciences, LLC
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greenberg, Milton L — Vivreon Biosciences, LLC
- Study coordinator: Greenberg, Milton L
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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.