Led · Seed · Apr 2025

Aspiro Therapeutics is advancing an inhaled therapy composed of peptidomimetics that mimic CC16, a natural lung protein with protective properties, with peptides designed for enhanced stability and bioavailability. The technology was developed at and licensed from the University of Arizona, and the team includes inventors and researchers from the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson, the Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, and the BIO5 Institute. The company is in preclinical development and is conducting an aerosol feasibility study supported by a $100,000 Flinn Foundation seed grant. Initial research that enabled the program was funded by NIH grants, and the team says it has also raised an angel round and applied for an STTR. Aspiro is working with service providers and potential manufacturers to develop the aerosolized compound and scale production of the lead peptide. If preclinical studies are successful, the team plans to submit an investigational new drug application in 2026 and begin Phase 1 trials in 2027.