# Novel Class Therapy for IPF

> **NIH NIH R43** · COVENANT THERAPEUTICS, LLC · 2020 · $223,276

## Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most fatal lung diseases with high mortality and very limited
treatment options. Increased production of collagen is found in IPF patients’ lung. Unfortunately current FDA-
approved treatments do not stop disease progression. In vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept studies have been
completed by our company and demonstrated that inhibiting peptidyl-prolyl-isomerase can be an effective
strategy to reduce collagen production and eventual fibrotic lung remodeling. Therefore, we have designed an
exploratory library of novel compounds based on 4-amino acid backbone to exploit this therapeutic strategy. Out
of the first eight of the 24 novel compounds, one has already shown highly active inhibition of collagen production
by human fibroblasts. This Phase 1 SBIR proposal will further develop this technology by identifying the best
compound and establishing its therapeutic proof-of-concept in in vitro and in vivo modeling (Aim 1) and by
identifying and refining the best compound identified from the Aim 1 pre-existing library for the optimal PK profile
(Aim2). When these milestones are accomplished, these new compounds are anticipated to become ready for
entering the pre-IND phase of therapeutic development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10080956
- **Project number:** 1R43HL154868-01
- **Recipient organization:** COVENANT THERAPEUTICS, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Cyrille Gineste
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $223,276
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-25 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10080956

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10080956, Novel Class Therapy for IPF (1R43HL154868-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10080956. Licensed CC0.

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