A new oral medication to improve flu vaccine effectiveness in older adults
Official title: 7HP349, an oral integrin activator to augment effectiveness of pre-exposure influenza vaccination
Funded at 7 Hills Pharma, LLC · NIH-10832641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new pill called 7HP349 that might help older adults get better protection from the flu vaccine by boosting their immune response, and participants will take this pill along with their flu shot to see how it works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | 7 Hills Pharma, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 26, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $953,477 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI176894-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10832641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who are at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those with certain contraindications to flu vaccination may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel oral integrin activator called 7HP349, which aims to enhance the effectiveness of pre-exposure influenza vaccinations specifically for older adults. The study focuses on addressing the challenges faced by seniors, who often have a weaker immune response to standard flu vaccines. By improving the interaction between immune cells and the vaccine, the research seeks to boost T cell responses, which are crucial for effective immunity. Participants may receive this medication alongside their flu vaccine to assess its impact on their immune response.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective flu vaccinations for older adults, reducing hospitalizations and deaths related to influenza.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that enhancing immune responses in older adults can improve vaccine effectiveness, suggesting that this approach may hold promise.
Where this research is happening
-
7 Hills Pharma, LLC
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marathi, Upendra — 7 Hills Pharma, LLC
- Study coordinator: Marathi, Upendra
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.