US-based early-stage pharmaceutical company EydisBio announced on Wednesday that the US National Institute of Health's (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has provided a USD2.6m Phase two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to the company.

The grant is intended to support the company's ongoing research into the efficacy of TAK1 inhibition in animal models of systemic sclerosis, and declare a lead compound for progression into the clinic.

Dr Tim Haystead, EydisBio founder and president, said, 'We are honoured to receive this significant grant from the NHLBI. This funding will enable us to continue to advance our TAK1 inhibitor program in systemic sclerosis and bring us closer to developing a new therapeutic option for these patients. We are strongly committed to improving the lives of those affected by this debilitating disease.'