Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute received a $672,297 project grant award effective June 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031, from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) under the Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.846). The funded research addresses the regulation of heterotopic ossification (HO)—the pathological formation of bone in ectopic sites—and the development of novel preventive treatments. HO represents a significant clinical complication resulting from surgical trauma, severe injury, central nervous system damage, and bone morphogenetic protein implantation procedures, causing muscle impingement, nerve compression, joint mobility reduction, chronic pain, and prosthesis fitting difficulties.

The project delivers research outputs focused on identifying new therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat HO. Utilizing adult mouse models that recapitulate human HO pathogenesis, the research team will advance understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying heterotopic ossification and evaluate novel preventive approaches beyond current standard treatments (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and radiation). The project aims to provide evidence-based alternatives to existing interventions, which carry significant limitations including adverse effects on platelet function, gastrointestinal complications, impaired fracture healing, and reduced soft tissue regeneration. Anticipated deliverables include peer-reviewed publications, preclinical data, mechanistic insights into HO pathogenesis, and evaluation of candidate therapeutic interventions with potential clinical translation value for trauma patients and surgical populations.