BCG vaccine modified to boost a STING signal against tuberculosis
Official title: BCG overexpressing a small molecule STING agonist as a vaccine for TB
Funded at Oncosting LLC · NIH-11399768 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing a TB vaccine that can better train the immune system by making BCG produce a strong immune-activating signal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oncosting LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | June 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $986,921 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI181290-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399768 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for TB exposure and those who could benefit from improved vaccines, such as adults and adolescents in TB-endemic regions, pending future clinical testing.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage, animal-focused work may not yet translate to direct benefit for patients until later trials are conducted.
What this research studies
This project aims to improve a longstanding TB vaccine by engineering BCG to overexpress a STING-activating molecule, potentially enhancing protection against TB. The work involves preclinical development in animal models to test safety and immune responses to the modified vaccine. If successful, it could lead to better prevention for people at risk of TB, including adults and adolescents, especially where TB is prevalent. The research focuses on understanding how the enhanced vaccine stimulates lung immunity and its potential to reduce infection and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the enhanced vaccine could provide stronger protection against TB and reduce the global burden of disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior TB vaccines like BCG have variable efficacy; this approach is a novel modification aimed at improving efficacy through innate immune activation.
Where this research is happening
-
Oncosting LLC
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wallach, Todd — Oncosting LLC
- Study coordinator: Wallach, Todd
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Enhanced BCG vaccine that boosts immune defense against tuberculosis
Researchers are making an improved BCG vaccine that produces a small immune-stimulating molecule to help protect people from tuberculosis.
-
STING-boosted BCG to improve bladder cancer treatment
A new therapy using a modified BCG bacterium to deliver a STING activator could boost bladder cancer treatment for patients with non-muscle invasive disease.
-
A new treatment for bladder cancer using a modified vaccine
This study is testing a new treatment for bladder cancer that uses a special version of a vaccine to help your immune system fight the cancer better, especially if standard treatments haven't worked for you.
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.