Expora Therapeutics Secures TEDCO Funding to Advance Novel IBD Treatments

Expora Therapeutics is proud to announce that co-founder Dr. Nicholas Pirolli has been awarded funding from TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) to propel the development of a groundbreaking new therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The support marks a major milestone in Expora’s mission to deliver more effective and targeted solutions for patients suffering from chronic gastrointestinal inflammation.

Dr. Pirolli, a Ph.D. graduate from the University of Maryland’s Fischell Department of Bioengineering, leads Expora’s scientific direction with deep expertise in immunology, drug delivery, and translational medicine. The TEDCO award enables the company to build on preclinical success and further refine a platform that directly targets inflamed tissues without compromising healthy immune function—offering a potential leap forward in treating diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.

“We’re designing therapies that intervene precisely where they’re needed most—at the site of inflammation,” said Dr. Pirolli. “This funding allows us to accelerate development and get closer to real solutions for patients who have long been underserved by current treatments.”

The MII grant will be used to advance key preclinical studies, optimize drug formulations, and lay the groundwork for future clinical pathways. Expora’s therapeutic platform aims to overcome many limitations of conventional IBD therapies, such as systemic side effects and limited long-term efficacy.

With this support and a growing pipeline, Expora Therapeutics is positioning itself at the forefront of precision therapeutics for chronic inflammatory conditions.