A vaccine to prevent tick-borne diseases
Official title: A Multivalent mRNA Vaccine to Prevent Transmission of Tick-bornePathogens
Funded at L2 Diagnostics, LLC · NIH-11080990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new mRNA vaccine designed to help protect people from diseases like Lyme disease that are spread by tick bites, by training your immune system to fight off the ticks' saliva.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | L2 Diagnostics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $299,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R41AI179587-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in areas where blacklegged ticks are prevalent and who are at risk of tick-borne diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in tick-endemic areas or who have no risk of exposure to tick bites may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel mRNA vaccine aimed at preventing diseases transmitted by blacklegged ticks. The approach involves targeting specific proteins in tick saliva that are essential for their feeding, which could reduce the transmission of pathogens like Lyme disease. By leveraging the body's immune response to these proteins, the vaccine aims to create resistance against tick bites and the diseases they carry. The research will refine the vaccine formulation to enhance its effectiveness and safety based on previous findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of tick-borne diseases in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in using similar vaccine approaches to induce tick resistance in animal models, indicating potential for human application.
Where this research is happening
-
L2 Diagnostics, LLC
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Narasimhan, Sukanya — L2 Diagnostics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Narasimhan, Sukanya
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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.