SignaBlok Receives NIH Grant for TREM-1 Antagonist Drug Development

SignaBlok, Inc., a biopharma company developing first-in-class peptide-based therapeutics, has received a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant, worth an undisclosed amount, will support the company's efforts to advance the development of a novel TREM-1 antagonist drug for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

TREM-1, a cell-surface receptor that amplifies inflammatory responses, has been implicated in various inflammatory conditions, including IBD. SignaBlok's approach to treating IBD involves targeting TREM-1 using two proprietary technologies: the SCHOOL technology, which uses short synthetic peptides to inhibit ligand-independent cell receptors, and nature-inspired nanotechnology for macrophage-targeted drug delivery. This targeted approach aims to reduce the risk of immunosuppression while delivering anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects.

The NIH funding will support in vivo testing of SignaBlok's lead TREM-1 antagonist formulation in two animal models of IBD. Previous preclinical studies of this formulation demonstrated excellent tolerability, lack of immunogenicity, and favorable pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles. The company hopes that this funding will lead to the development of a transformative drug for IBD that addresses the safety concerns associated with current therapeutic approaches.

Alexander Sigalov, Ph.D., President and Founder of SignaBlok, commented, "This award from the NIDDK/NIH reinforces the promise of SignaBlok's core platform technologies. We have established animal proof of concept (POC) for TREM-1 antagonist SCHOOL peptide formulations across multiple preclinical disease models, including cancer, retinopathy, arthritis, lung fibrosis, sepsis, and other inflammatory conditions. With NIDDK funding, we aim to establish preclinical POC for IBD and accelerate the development of novel mechanism-based TREM-1 antagonist as a potential first-in-class therapy for patients with IBD."

IBD, which primarily includes Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, is characterized by chronic non-resolving inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and affects between 2.4 and 3.1 million adults and children in the United States. Despite substantial advances in treatment, there is currently no cure for IBD, highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches.

The company's lead product, which targets TREM-1, is part of its broader portfolio of first-in-class peptide-based therapeutics and radiopharmaceuticals aimed at addressing innate inflammation in multiple diseases. SignaBlok also specializes in targeted nanodelivery of SCHOOL peptides and other therapies or imaging agents.