# Project 3: Treatment of mucostasis and airways obstruction in CF with a novel mucolytic

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $242,214

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY 
Mucus obstruction of airways is a significant pathologic feature of CF lung disease. Available therapies are 
only partially effective at relieving this obstruction, and additional treatments are needed. Gel-forming mucin 
molecules are a major constituent of CF mucus and to a large degree determines its bio-rheological properties. 
The development of inhaled agents that target mucin molecules and improve the transportability of airway 
mucus is a rational and attractive therapeutic goal. In this Project, we propose to first test the safety of a novel 
inhaled mucolytic in CF subjects in a single ascending dose study. We will then evaluate the ability of this 
agent to improve mucus clearance and reduce airways obstruction during two weeks of use, in a placebo 
controlled cross-over study in CF. Relevant, novel outcome measures will be utilized to evaluate drug effects 
on mucus clearance (gamma scintigraphy) and airways obstruction (19F-MRI with 1H-MRI/UTE), in addition to 
traditional clinical trial endpoints. The combination of these functional and structural modalities should greatly 
enhance our understanding of drug effects on this heterogeneous lung disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10232376
- **Project number:** 5P01HL108808-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** SCOTT H DONALDSON
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $242,214
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-07 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10232376

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10232376, Project 3: Treatment of mucostasis and airways obstruction in CF with a novel mucolytic (5P01HL108808-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10232376. Licensed CC0.

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