Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital received $822,172 in federal funding from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847), effective July 6, 2026, with an ultimate completion date of March 31, 2031. This Project Grant supports a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) in reducing acute pancreatitis (AP) episodes among children with pancreatic sufficient acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) or chronic pancreatitis (CP). The research deliverables include clinical trial execution, identification of treatment response modifiers, and evidence-based guidance specific to pediatric populations—addressing a critical gap in management protocols that currently rely on adult-focused studies despite the distinct etiologies and rapid disease progression observed in children.

The primary products delivered through this funding include prospective clinical trial data examining PERT's effectiveness in decreasing annual AP incidence rates in the pediatric population, identification of patient subsets most likely to benefit from enzyme therapy, and scientific publications establishing pediatric-specific clinical evidence to inform disease management protocols. This research responds to preliminary data indicating that 42% of pediatric subjects treated with PERT experienced no additional AP episodes, suggesting meaningful potential for disease burden reduction in this patient population.