Virtici LLC, a life science innovation and product development company, today announced that it has been awarded a Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance VTC-880, a first-in-class peptide for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.
"We are honored to receive this Phase 2 SBIR support from NIDCR, which validates the significant potential of VTC-880 as a transformative oral treatment for periodontal disease," said Dr. Neil Fanger, Chairman, President and CEO of Virtici. "This peptide represents a novel approach that specifically targets P. gingivalis colonization while preserving the healthy oral microbiome. We believe VTC-880 has the potential to establish a new standard in oral care and significantly improve the quality of life for millions of patients suffering from periodontitis worldwide."
Periodontal disease affects nearly 50% of adults over age 30 globally, with approximately 1 billion people suffering from severe cases. The condition is caused by pathogenic bacteria, particularly P. gingivalis, which forms biofilms below the gum line resulting in chronic inflammation, bleeding, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss. Beyond oral health, P. gingivalis infection has been associated with serious systemic diseases including Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Current treatments rely on dental procedures and antiseptic rinses that can disrupt the natural oral microbiome, with antibiotics reserved for severe cases. The Phase 2 SBIR funding will support IND-enabling studies including manufacturing, formulation development, pharmacokinetics, toxicology profiling, and preparation for first-in-human clinical trials.
About Virtici LLC
Virtici is a life science innovation and product development company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Virtici is built on the foundation that life changing products are developed through innovation, hard work, and determination. Guided by its mission to improve quality of life and save lives, Virtici works with pioneering investigators and their respective research institutions to commercialize innovations with the greatest potential, providing the scientific, business and financial expertise to accelerate product development. Since its inception, Virtici has continued to expand its internal therapeutics pipeline and has also helped establish and grow a network of other biotechnology companies.