Spirrow Therapeutics

POLYMER LUNG SURFACTANT TECHNOLOGY

A new approach.
A vital purpose.
Better breathing.

Advancing investigational therapeutics designed to restore surfactant function in the lungs.

Explore our science
Purdue-originated technology / Preclinical development
SPIRROW THERAPEUTICS

Small-scale science.
Life-sized ambition.

OUR PURPOSE

Working toward a better future for people with serious lung disease.

Spirrow Therapeutics is a preclinical life science company developing polymer lung surfactants. Our mission is to advance therapies for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with the goal of reducing its impact on patients and families.

01 / OUR SCIENCE

Designed to support
the lung’s natural function.

Our platform builds on patented polymer lung surfactant technology developed by Spirrow’s co-founders at Purdue University.

The investigational polymers are designed to mimic the surface-active function of natural lung surfactant and resist deactivation. Spirrow is studying their potential to support lung function in pulmonary injury.

Early proof-of-concept findings in small-animal models support further research. Safety and efficacy in humans have not been established.

01

Mimic natural surfactant

Designed to act at the air–liquid interface within the lung’s air sacs.

02

Resist deactivation

Engineered to retain surface activity in conditions that can impair natural surfactant.

03

Focus on the lungs

Developed for local pulmonary delivery, with lung residence, clearance, and systemic exposure to be evaluated.

RESEARCH FOCUS

One platform.
Multiple areas to explore.

PRIMARY FOCUS

Acute respiratory
distress syndrome

Developing a polymer surfactant approach for serious lung injury in adults.

POTENTIAL APPLICATION

Neonatal respiratory
distress syndrome

Exploring the platform’s potential where surfactant deficiency affects premature infants.

LONGER-TERM EXPLORATION

Additional pulmonary
indications

Lung transplantation and fibrosis are potential areas for future investigation.

RESEARCH ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A foundation built
through published research.

Our polymer lung surfactant (PLS) research spans manufacturing, surface behavior, and preclinical proof of concept. Nanoparticles (NPs) are the building blocks of the platform.

MANUFACTURING

Formulation & preservation

  • Scalable formulation with precise control of PLS nanoparticle properties. [1]
  • Freeze-drying (lyophilization) while preserving original nanoparticle properties. [2]

SURFACE BEHAVIOR

Understanding the interface

  • Effects of nanoparticle size on surface behavior. [3]
  • Monolayer structure studied using scattering techniques. [4]
  • Effects of polymer chemistry and glass-transition temperature (Tg). [5] [6]

PRECLINICAL PROOF OF CONCEPT

Research in mouse models

  • Efficacy findings in mouse models of lung injury. [7] [8]
  • Pulmonary pharmacokinetics (how the material behaves over time in the lungs) in mice. [9]
  • Parameters affecting delivery to the lung’s air sacs, or alveoli. [10]

These findings are preclinical. Safety and efficacy in humans have not been established. The roadmap identifies patents granted or in prosecution worldwide for selected formulation, lyophilization, and lung-injury applications.

02 / DEVELOPMENT

Moving forward,
guided by evidence.

Spirrow is currently advancing through candidate validation and preclinical development (stages 01 and 02). We are seeking funding to enter IND-enabling research (stage 03), the next phase of our development pathway.

  1. 01

    Candidate validation

    Optimize polymer lung surfactant formulations and select a lead candidate or candidates.

    Current stage · 01 + 02
  2. 02

    Preclinical development

    Continue pre-IND formulation optimization and candidate selection, building on manufacturing, surface characterization, and mouse proof-of-concept research.

    Current stage · 01 + 02
  3. 03

    IND-enabling research

    Plan good manufacturing practice (GMP) production with a contract manufacturing organization, and toxicology and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) studies with contract research organizations.

    Next phase · fundraising goal
  4. 04

    Potential clinical studies

    The roadmap outlines Phase Ib, Phase II, and Phase III trials as future steps, subject to supporting data and applicable regulatory requirements.

Delivery approaches

First-generation concept: liquid delivery into the lungs of intubated patients.

Next-generation concept: aerosol delivery, with the aim of enabling a less invasive approach.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

The research behind
the roadmap.

Publications identified in Spirrow’s October 7, 2026 research roadmap.

View research roadmap (PDF)
Explore all 10 research publications
  1. Fesenmeier et al., “Overcoming Limitations of Conventional Solvent Exchange Methods: Achieving Monodisperse Non-Equilibrium Polymer Micelles through Equilibration-Nanoprecipitation (ENP)”, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 661, 861-869, 2024.
  2. Kim et al., “Excipient-Free Lyophilization of Block Copolymer Micelles for Potential Lung Surfactant Therapy Applications”, International Journal of Pharmaceutics 646, 123476, 2023.
  3. Fesenmeier et al., “Surface Mechanical Behavior of Water-Spread Poly(styrene)-Poly(ethylene glycol) (PS- PEG) Micelles at the Air-Water Interface: Effect of Micelle Size and End/Linking Group Chemistry”, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 617, 764-777, 2022.
  4. Kim et al., “Electrocapillary Deformation of “Glassy” Polymer Micelles at an Air-Water Interface”, Nano Letters 26(32), 10867-10872, 2026.
  5. Kim et al., “Surface Pressure-Area Mechanics of Water-Spread Block Copolymer Micelle Monolayers at the Air-Water Interface: Effect of Hydrophobic Block Chemistry”, Langmuir 39(38), 13546-13559, 2023.
  6. Fesenmeier et al., “Effect of Temperature on the Air-Water Surface Mechanical Behavior of Water-Spread Block Copolymer Micelles”, Soft Matter 19, 9269-9281, 2023.
  7. Kim et al., “Polymer Lung Surfactants”, ACS Applied Bio Materials 1(3), 581-592, 2018.
  8. Fesenmeier et al., “Polymer Lung Surfactants Attenuate Direct Lung Injury in Mice”, ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 9(5), 2716-2730, 2023.
  9. Kim et al., “Pulmonary Pharmacokinetics of Polymer Lung Surfactants Following Pharyngeal Administration in Mice”, Biomacromolecules 23(6), 2471-2482, 2022.
  10. Jun et al., “Intrapulmonary Spreading of Pharyngeally Instilled Liquids: Impact of Nanoparticle Concentration and PEG Lubrication in Polymer Lung Surfactant Solutions”, Molecular Pharmaceutics 22(10), 5975-5988,

03 / LEADERSHIP

Scientific expertise.
Healthcare experience.

JW

James G. Wetrich

Chief Executive Officer

More than 40 years of experience in healthcare leadership, including roles at Abbott and Mölnlycke Health Care.

YW

You-Yeon Won, PhD

Co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer

Purdue chemical engineering faculty member with expertise in nanomedicine and polymer science.

RG

Richard Ganz, MBA

President of the Board

Former Abbott and Baxter Healthcare executive with experience leading life science startups.