RS BioTherapeutics, University of Colorado School of Medicine Form Research Collaboration

RS BioTherapeutics has announced a collaboration with the University of Colorado School of Medicine to investigate their innovative, steroid-free therapeutic platform, RSBT-001, for treating severe lung diseases and as a chemical countermeasure. This collaboration will specifically involve the laboratory of Dr. Tom Hu, an Associate Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine and Associate Director for the Center for Advanced Drug Development at the university.

RS BioTherapeutics aims to create transformative medications for millions of people afflicted by serious lung diseases characterized by pulmonary inflammation. The company’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michelle L. Shuffett, expressed enthusiasm about working with Dr. Hu’s lab, highlighting Dr. Hu’s strong academic background and extensive experience in both the private and government sectors. This partnership will focus on evaluating RSBT-001, a first-in-class, steroid-free therapeutic platform designed to treat deadly lung diseases and serve as a chemical countermeasure against potential terrorist activities.

Dr. Hu, who joined the University of Colorado in 2023, emphasized the potential benefits of RSBT-001. Currently under development for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), RSBT-001 has shown promising anti-inflammatory properties in preclinical trials. COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, while IPF is a rare disease with no known cure and a low survival rate. Dr. Hu is optimistic about the potential of RSBT-001 to act as a chemical countermeasure due to its anti-inflammatory capabilities. He looks forward to collaborating with Dr. Shuffett and the RS BioTherapeutics team to further the development of RSBT-001.

Dr. Hu’s career spans over 14 years of federal service as a Project Officer in the Division of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures at the Biomedical Advancement Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, followed by an M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University. He has held positions at the National Institutes of Health and GlaxoSmithKline PLC, where he completed an MBA at Villanova University. Dr. Hu also established the Small Animal Imaging Program at the Medical College of Georgia.

During his tenure as a Project Officer, Dr. Hu oversaw technical progress for over 20 company contracts, managing medical countermeasures in various areas such as Chemical, Radiological/Nuclear, Biodosimetry, and Thermal Burn, with total contractual values exceeding $186 million. He is an associate editor and peer reviewer for numerous journals, has published 29 peer-reviewed articles, and delivered over 60 national and international presentations. Dr. Hu holds five U.S. patents and is certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Medical Physics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Physics.

RS BioTherapeutics is dedicated to developing medications for individuals suffering from severe lung diseases marked by pulmonary inflammation. Their flagship product, RSBT-001, is a first-in-class, steroid-free, multi-targeted immune modulator aimed at treating COPD and IPF. The company plans to file an Investigational New Drug Application for RSBT-001 and initiate human trials by 2026.