Preclinical Development of Tacrolimus for Radiation Cystitis

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project, entitied Preclinical Development of Tracrolimus for Radiation Cystitis will fund key experiments to advance the commercial development of LP-10. LP-10 is a liposomal tacrolimus formulation for local (topical) intravesical administration to the urinary bladder. The formulation provides active drug levels in the bladder with significantly reduced systemic levels. Radiation cystitis is a rare disease defined by lower urinary tract symptoms that include dysuria, hematuria, and hemorrhage. There are currently no approved therapies to treat RC, which can severely degrade a patient's quality of life, require long-term follow-up treatment, and, in some patients, lead to death. This project is public-private collaboration between Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc., the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and William Beaumont Hospital. Lipella owns intellectual property rights to the LP-10 formulation as well as rights associated with its recent receipt of o