A new way to prevent Rickettsia infections
Official title: Factor H-Fc Fusion as a Pre-Exposure Prophylactic for Rickettsia Infections
Funded at Planet Biotechnology, INC. · NIH-11136342 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We are working on a new protective treatment to help prevent serious Rickettsia infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Planet Biotechnology, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hayward, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $295,353 |
| NIH project number | 5R43AI186978-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136342 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is aimed at individuals at high risk of exposure to Rickettsia, such as those living in or traveling to areas where these infections are common.
✕Less likely to help
Patients already infected with Rickettsia would likely not benefit from this pre-exposure preventative treatment, as it is designed to prevent infection rather than treat an existing one.
What this research studies
Rickettsia infections, spread by ticks and other bugs, can cause severe illness by damaging blood vessels throughout the body. Current treatments are not always enough, leading to serious complications and even death. Our approach involves creating a special protein that can trick the Rickettsia bacteria, making them vulnerable to your body's natural defenses. This protein would act as a shield, helping your immune system fight off the infection before it takes hold.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a new way to protect people from dangerous Rickettsia infections before they even get sick.
How similar studies have gone: This specific approach of using a Factor H-Fc fusion protein as a pre-exposure prophylactic for Rickettsia is novel, though antibody-based preventatives have shown promise in other infectious diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
Planet Biotechnology, INC.
Hayward, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wycoff, Keith — Planet Biotechnology, INC.
- Study coordinator: Wycoff, Keith
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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.