N-Zyme Biomedical Received $2.76 Million NIH Grant

The Newark-based biotech firm secured federal funding to launch a Phase II clinical trial for a novel reflux treatment.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Biotech

N-Zyme Biomedical Received $2.76 Million NIH Grant

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N-Zyme Biomedical has been awarded a $2.76 million grant from the National Institute on Aging to conduct a Phase II clinical trial. The research targets patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease who do not respond to traditional proton pump inhibitors.

Why it matters

The federal funding provides non-dilutive capital, allowing the company to advance its clinical program for fosamprenavir without needing to raise additional equity. This trial aims to address treatment gaps for chronic reflux patients through a targeted enzymatic approach.

The study evaluates the efficacy of the pepsin-inhibiting drug fosamprenavir, utilizing single-cell multi-omic analyses of esophageal biopsies. Researchers will monitor prodrug conversion and anti-inflammatory effects throughout the double-blind trial.

The players

N-Zyme Biomedical

A Newark-based biotechnology company that focuses on developing new pharmaceutical therapies for digestive diseases.

Medical College of Wisconsin

An academic medical institution that acts as the administrator for the research grant and holds the licensed patents.

Nikki Johnston

A lead researcher and principal investigator overseeing the clinical trial and molecular analysis.

Joseph Zenga

A medical professional serving as a principal investigator for the clinical study.

National Institute on Aging

A federal agency under the National Institutes of Health that provides the funding for research into age-related health conditions.

The details

Administered through the Medical College of Wisconsin, the study utilizes an exclusive patent license held by N-Zyme Biomedical. Investigators will focus on identifying biomarkers during the trial to inform future clinical development paths for the drug.

October 2, 2026: Announcement of the NIH grant award.

The Tech Race

This development highlights the ongoing reliance on public-private partnerships to bridge the gap between early-stage laboratory science and clinical deployment. It marks a transition from basic research to randomized, double-blind trials, reflecting the broader industry trend of using federal grants to de-risk late-stage drug development.

While the trial focuses on a specific patient population, successful results could eventually lead to new therapeutic options for those currently underserved by standard proton pump inhibitors. The project demonstrates how federal grant money is channeled into specific medical research pipelines, potentially impacting future drug availability.

The takeaway

This grant secures the necessary resources for N-Zyme Biomedical to test its pepsin-inhibiting therapy in a controlled clinical environment. Patients with resistant GERD may see more specialized treatment options emerging from the resulting biomarker data.