A Vaccine for Lymphatic Filariasis (LFGuard) for Adults
Official title: A Vaccine for Lymphatic Filariasis, LFGuard™
Funded at Pai Life Sciences, INC. · NIH-11306993 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new LF vaccine (LFGuard) aims to help adults in at-risk regions by preventing infection and supporting current mass drug administration efforts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pai Life Sciences, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2019 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $713,883 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI140708-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11306993 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults in LF-endemic regions who would benefit from a vaccine to prevent infection and transmission.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals in whom the vaccine is not yet available or who cannot participate in future clinical studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This proposal centers on developing a prophylactic vaccine to reduce transmission of lymphatic filariasis and complement ongoing drug programs. The project discusses adjuvanted vaccine design and preclinical development using adult models to target adult parasites within the lymphatic system. If successful, the vaccine could lower new infections and support efforts toward elimination in endemic areas. The work involves animal models and bioassays to study vaccine safety and immune responses before any human testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could reduce LF transmission and help protect communities from future infections, contributing to disease elimination goals.
How similar studies have gone: Vaccine strategies against parasitic infections have shown promise in preclinical stages, but this specific LF vaccine approach is advancing toward human testing with limited prior clinical success.
Where this research is happening
-
Pai Life Sciences, INC.
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carter, Darrick Albert — Pai Life Sciences, INC.
- Study coordinator: Carter, Darrick Albert
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.