# Developing UPR inhibitory KIRAs into oral antidiabetic beta cell-sparing drugs

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2021 · $502,298

## Abstract

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to progressive immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Recent work from our laboratories has shown that hyperactivation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) to ER stress in the immune-targeted beta cells may be a critical early event in the development of T1D. We have developed novel pharmacological reagents that allow us to manipulate components of the UPR. Importantly, these small molecules delivered to NOD mice can efficaciously prevent and even reverse diabetes in this T1D model. Thus, in this collaborative grant we will capitalize on the complementary expertise of the investigators to optimize these lead molecules for oral delivery, conduct proof of concept studies, and perform key enabling steps needed to advance these candidates into the clinic for treating human patients with T1D.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10136577
- **Project number:** 5R01DK100623-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Bradley J Backes
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $502,298
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-01-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10136577

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10136577, Developing UPR inhibitory KIRAs into oral antidiabetic beta cell-sparing drugs (5R01DK100623-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10136577. Licensed CC0.

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