ORP-100 is a recombinant engineered variant of thioredoxin, a human lung protein that has demonstrated in laboratory studies a potent ability to increase the fluidity of mucus.
OrPro president and chief technology officer Peter Heifetz said the award focuses on an inhaled formulation of ORP-100 for topical delivery to the lung surface, a key milestone in the preclinical development program.
"NIH grants are highly competitive, and our proposal received excellent reviews and scores acknowledging OrPro’s strong team and innovative approach to CF therapy," Heifetz added.
ORP-100 will be administered through an advanced aerosol delivery system, and in contrast to DNA-degrading mucolytics, targets the adhesive protein gel network that is common to all patients with obstructive mucus, according to OrPro.