Antimicrobial Treatment for Wound Biofilms to Help Healing
Official title: Antimicrobial Treatment to Combat Wound Biofilm
Funded at Allvivo Vascular, INC. · NIH-11332259 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new antimicrobial peptide (Gatekeeper) delivered in a patient-friendly wound gel is being developed to kill bacteria in chronic wound biofilms and promote healing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Allvivo Vascular, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lake Forest, United States) |
| Project start | March 7, 2018 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $999,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI136195-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332259 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with chronic wounds at risk for infection and poor healing who have not responded well to standard therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with wounds that are not biofilm-driven or who respond well to existing treatments may experience limited additional benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a next-generation wound treatment that targets bacteria living in biofilms, which commonly hinder healing. The product is a biocompatible hydrogel that keeps the wound moist and ensures close contact with the wound bed to maximize bacterial kill. It has shown activity against biofilms in lab, tissue, and animal models and is designed to be easier on tissues than some current products. If successful, Gatekeeper could offer a more effective option for people with chronic wounds who are at risk of infection or amputation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with chronic wounds could heal faster and have a lower risk of infection and amputation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that biofilm-targeting approaches can improve wound healing in preclinical models, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Allvivo Vascular, INC.
Lake Forest, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neff, Jennifer Ann — Allvivo Vascular, INC.
- Study coordinator: Neff, Jennifer Ann
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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.