A rapid test to identify risk of infections in newborns
Official title: Rapid Test to Assist Therapy in Neonatal Sepsis and Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Funded at Prothera Biologics, LLC · NIH-11076833 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a fast test that checks for a specific protein in the blood to help doctors quickly find out if newborns are at risk for serious infections like sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis, so they can start treatment right away.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Prothera Biologics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2018 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $971,267 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI141283-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076833 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns and infants at risk of developing neonatal sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 21 years or those not at risk for neonatal infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a quick point-of-care test that measures levels of Inter-alpha inhibitor Proteins (IAIP) in the blood to assess the risk of neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in infants. These conditions can lead to severe health issues and high mortality rates, making early detection crucial. The test is designed to provide results within 15 minutes, allowing healthcare providers to make timely decisions about antibiotic treatment. The study builds on previous findings that showed IAIP levels are reliable indicators of these serious infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve early detection and treatment of life-threatening infections in newborns, potentially reducing mortality and long-term health complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar rapid testing approaches, indicating a strong potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Prothera Biologics, LLC
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lim, Yow-Pin — Prothera Biologics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Lim, Yow-Pin
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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.