Aspiro Therapeutics, a biotech start-up from the University of Arizona College of Medicne – Tuscon, the Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center and the BIO5 Institute, is planning to advance a novel inhaled therapy for COPD and asthma based on technology developed at the university.
According to a news release, the new approach uses peptidomimetics based on CC16, a natural lung protein with protective properties. The research team designed the peptides to mimic the structure and function of the protein while enhancing stability and bioavailability.
“We’re not doing another corticosteroid or treatment that’s just trying to treat symptoms,” said Julie Ledford, PhD, associate professor of cellular and molecular medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. “We’re working to address the underlying mechanism that’s driving a variety of different respiratory conditions.”
The team is working on a delivery system for these molecules using an inhaler device.
“Many people with asthma deal with uncontrolled symptoms despite current treatment options, and others experience significant effects from long-term corticosteroid use,” Dr. Ledford said. “We also see a lot of people being prescribed biologics, but they’re useful for a smaller number of patients and are really expensive. Our goal is to develop a therapy that addresses those challenges and provides a more effective treatment option for patients throughout all clinical stages of respiratory diseases.”
Along with Dr. Ledford, the research team behind Aspiro includes Josef Vagner, PhD, a research professor at the BIO5 Institute, and Stefano Guerra, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine in the division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the College of Medicine – Tucson and director of the Population Science Unit at the Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center.
Aspiro’s technology is currently undergoing preclinical development studies, and the team plans to submit an investigational new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2026 if the studies prove successful. If all goes well, a phase 1 clinical trial is expected to begin in 2027.
