# Development of novel therapeutics for cancer cachexia

> **NIH NIH R44** · EMMYON, INC. · 2024 · $997,245

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Cancer-induced skeletal muscle atrophy is a central and defining feature of the cancer cachexia syndrome, a
highly prevalent condition that affects over 50% of patients with advanced cancer and over 500,000 patients
per year in the U.S. In addition to being highly prevalent, cancer-induced skeletal muscle atrophy has
devastating consequences for patients; it reduces physical function and quality of life, often complicates or
precludes cancer treatment, and strongly predicts early mortality from cancer. Unfortunately, a pharmacologic
therapy for cancer-induced muscle atrophy does not exist. Thus, cancer-induced skeletal muscle atrophy
represents a highly significant unmet medical need with broad relevance to cancer patients. A major goal of
Emmyon, Inc. is to discover and develop a pharmacologic therapy for cancer-induced skeletal muscle
atrophy. To that end, we recently discovered a natural compound that significantly reduces cancer-induced
muscle atrophy in five well-established and distinct in vivo mouse models of cancer. We then used that natural
compound as a lead in medicinal chemistry program and discovered and patented a confidential and
proprietary chemical derivative (EMMY1-06) that appears to be significantly more potent and more efficacious
than the lead compound in at least two distinct mouse models of cancer-induced muscle atrophy. In this
Phase II SBIR proposal, we seek to continue this exciting work by advancing the development of
EMMY1-06 and related molecules as pharmaceuticals for cancer-induced skeletal muscle atrophy.
Specifically, we will further investigate EMMY1-06's safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action in several
distinct and complementary mouse models of cancer-induced muscle atrophy that involve multiple tumor types,
sexes, and ages; these studies will significantly advance EMMY1-06 towards clinical development and
commercialization in SBIR Phase III. In parallel to our detailed studies of EMMY1-06, we will also design,
synthesize, and characterize novel compounds that are structurally related to EMMY1-06, seeking to discover
additional compounds with pharmacologic properties that are similar to or perhaps even better than those of
EMMY1-06 in preclinical models of cancer-induced muscle atrophy. Together, these studies will rigorously
advance the scientific understanding and commercial development of a highly promising new class of
pharmaceutical agents. Through this work, we hope to ultimately discover and develop a new
pharmacologic therapy that could broadly improve clinical outcomes for millions of patients who
suffer from cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10804742
- **Project number:** 5R44CA277853-02
- **Recipient organization:** EMMYON, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Christopher M Adams
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $997,245
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-01 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10804742

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10804742, Development of novel therapeutics for cancer cachexia (5R44CA277853-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10804742. Licensed CC0.

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