A new treatment for dengue using combined antibodies
Official title: A Novel Cost-Effective Multispecific Therapeutic for Dengue
Funded at Mapp Biopharmaceutical, INC. · NIH-11185642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new treatment for dengue fever that combines two powerful antibodies into one, making it stronger and easier to produce, so it can help kids and others affected by the disease feel better with a smaller dose.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mapp Biopharmaceutical, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | June 9, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $294,583 |
| NIH project number | 1R44AI192180-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11185642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years, especially those who may not have access to existing vaccination options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those who have already received the dengue vaccine may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel therapeutic approach for dengue, a serious mosquito-borne disease. The project aims to create a multi-specific antibody-derived treatment that combines the effectiveness of two neutralizing antibodies into a single, longer-lasting molecule. This innovative therapy is designed to be more potent, requiring a lower dose, and can be manufactured efficiently. By targeting the disease in a cost-effective manner, the research seeks to provide a viable treatment option for affected individuals, especially children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safe and effective treatment for dengue, particularly benefiting young patients who are currently at risk.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing antibody-based therapies for infectious diseases, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Mapp Biopharmaceutical, INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maamary, Jad — Mapp Biopharmaceutical, INC.
- Study coordinator: Maamary, Jad
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Immune responses linked to severe dengue in children (primary infection)
This grant studies why some kids get very sick from their first dengue infection and how their immune system reacts differently from secondary infections.
-
Phase 2b trial of dengue vaccines TAK-003 and Butantan-DV to boost lasting, broad antibody protection
A trial tests whether giving a second dengue vaccine (Butantan-DV) after an initial TAK-003 shot can create stronger, longer-lasting antibodies that work against all dengue types.
-
Protective dengue vaccines that steer T and B cell responses
A vaccine study aims to guide the body’s T and B cells to fight all four dengue virus types safely and effectively.
-
Selective GAK inhibitors to fight dengue, VEEV and other emerging viral infections
A Stanford team is testing new, selective inhibitors of GAK to block how certain viruses enter and exit cells, with the goal of a broad antiviral approach that could help people exposed to dengue, VEEV, and similar infections.
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Defining immune markers predicting protection against dengue in a long-term family study in Thailand
This grant looks at how antibodies develop to protect against dengue in children from a long-running family cohort in Thailand, with the goal of identifying immune signs that predict protection across multiple dengue serotypes.
-
Understanding dengue protection in children from a long-term Thai family cohort
A long-term study in Thailand follows families to understand how early exposures to dengue shape protection and illness risk for children as they encounter the virus over time.
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.