Atticus Pharma Awarded $2 Million NIH Grant
The Greenville biotech firm secured funding to advance its experimental topical treatment for cutaneous lupus.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Biotech
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Atticus Pharma has received a $2 million Phase II SBIR grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The funding supports preclinical development and manufacturing for the company's topical drug candidate, ATC-001.
Why it matters
The grant aims to address a significant gap in medical care, as there is currently no FDA-approved therapeutic specifically designed to treat cutaneous lupus. The funding will facilitate necessary IND-enabling studies to move the candidate toward human trials.
The grant funds development of the ATC-001 anandamide formulation, which has demonstrated resolution of lesions in animal models. The company also previously completed a clinical study for its ATC-002 candidate involving 98 women.
The players
Atticus Pharma
This Greenville-based biotechnology company was established in 2024 to develop novel dermatological therapeutics.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
This federal agency is a branch of the National Institutes of Health that supports research into skin and joint conditions.
The details
Atticus Pharma is working with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Veteran's Administration Medical Center to conduct studies. The research focuses on scaling up production for the candidate, which has already shown improved skin scores in preclinical testing.
Timeline
Atticus Pharma was established in 2024.
The firm received $4 million in SBIR funding during August 2026.
The $2 million grant was officially awarded on September 23, 2026.
Clinical trials for ATC-001 are currently slated to begin in 2027.
The Tech Race
This award highlights the vital role of the Small Business Innovation Research program in fueling early-stage biotech innovation. It positions Atticus Pharma within a competitive landscape of startups aiming to replace standard care with targeted pharmacological interventions.
While this grant does not provide immediate treatment options for patients, it marks a crucial step toward bringing a first-of-its-kind topical therapy to market. Future success in clinical trials could eventually offer those suffering from cutaneous lupus a targeted, FDA-approved pharmaceutical option.
The takeaway
Securing federal funding like the SBIR grant is a common hurdle for emerging biotech firms working to validate their drug candidates. Patients should watch for updates on clinical trial registration as the firm moves toward 2027.
Further reading
For more on the latest research and industry developments, see our Biotech section.
More information
For more information on the company's research pipeline, visit the Atticus Pharma company website.
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