# Pre Clinical and Clinical Development of a Novel Thiol-Saccharide Mucolytic

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2020 · $1,513,744

## Abstract

Project Summary
Although pathologic mucus that obstructs the airways is a major cause of symptoms and infection in cystic
fibrosis (CF) and other lung diseases, mucolytic therapies are currently limited in number, efficacy, and
tolerability. Recent collaborative work between UCSF and University College Dublin (UCD) has uncovered
oxidative stress as a key mechanism of mucus pathology and provided rationale for thiol-based drugs as novel
mucolytics. N-acetyl cysteine [NAC]) is effective as a mucolytic, but it carries significant liabilities as an inhaled
therapeutic including low potency, inconvenient administration, airway irritancy, high volatility and bad odor. To
overcome these problems, Dr. Oscarson at UCD has synthesized a novel class of thiol-based therapeutics by
modifying saccharides with thiol functionalities to create a library of “thiol-saccharides.” These novel
compounds show significant mucolytic activity on CF sputum, fast onset of action, higher potency than NAC,
and favorable processability as spray-dried powders. Importantly, we find that thiol-saccharides do not show
any concerning safety signals in pilot toxicity studies in our studies on airway epithelial cells in vitro and in a
mouse model in vivo. All of these data lead us to propose three Aims that will advance a drug development
program for thiol-saccharides as a novel mucolytic treatment in cystic fibrosis. In AIM 1, we will identify and
optimize the preclinical candidate compound from a library of thiol-saccharides. In AIM 2, we will conduct IND-
enabling preclinical studies and prepare and file IND for clinical development of candidate thiol-saccharide in
CF. In AIM 3, on IND clearance, we plan to conduct a first-in-human Phase 1a single ascending dose study to
assess initial safety of inhaled thiol-saccharide therapeutic. We will work closely with the multidisciplinary team
of chemists, formulation scientists, biologists and clinicians who are a part of this Translational Program Project
proposal to achieve the goal of advancing a thiol-modified carbohydrate to the clinic to improve lung health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9990851
- **Project number:** 5P01HL128191-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** JUNE H LEE
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,513,744
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9990851

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9990851, Pre Clinical and Clinical Development of a Novel Thiol-Saccharide Mucolytic (5P01HL128191-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9990851. Licensed CC0.

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