# miRNA drug for tendinopathy

> **NIH NIH R44** · NEW YORK/R&D/CTR/TRANSLATIONAL MED/THER · 2022 · $737,376

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Tendinopathy is a tendon disorder that is highly prevalent in the aged population. It is characterized by
tendon deterioration that often leads to tendon rupture, and is associated with pain, swelling and impaired
performance. There is currently no cure for tendinopathy and an urgent need for effective treatments for
tendinopathy. The technology to be developed is microRNA (miR)-221-5p for the treatment of tendinopathy. Our
preliminary studies identified that miR-221-5p exhibited a therapeutic effect in a rodent model of tendinopathy
and may exert its therapeutic effect, at least in part, by suppressing expression of pro-inflammatory mediators
that contribute to the pathogenesis of tendinopathy. This project will test the hypothesis that chemically modified
miR-221-5p exerts an enhanced effect on mitigating tendinopathy. The Phase II study will focus on providing
critical evidence towards developing miR-221-5p as an FDA-approved product for the treatment of tendinopathy.
In Aim 1, we will determine the chemical formulation and treatment condition of miR-221-5p using a collagenase-
induced model of tendinopathy. In Aim 2, we will determine the efficacy and safety of miR-221-5p on
tendinopathy in rabbits. Successful completion of the proposed studies will identify miR-221-5p as a new drug
for the treatment of tendinopathy and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10603377
- **Project number:** 1R44AG081162-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK/R&D/CTR/TRANSLATIONAL MED/THER
- **Principal Investigator:** David T Fung
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $737,376
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-30 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10603377

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10603377, miRNA drug for tendinopathy (1R44AG081162-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10603377. Licensed CC0.

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