Center to develop immune-based interventions against gonorrhea
Official title: Center for Immunological Interventions against Gonorrhea (CIIG)
Funded at Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med · NIH-11394872 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research center is building a vaccine approach to prevent gonorrhea and curb antibiotic resistance, aiming to move a promising candidate toward human trials for people at risk of infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bethesda, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $4,222,445 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI189178-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394872 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of gonorrhea exposure or communities with high infection rates, who could participate in future vaccine trials once approved.
✕Less likely to help
People not at risk for gonorrhea or those who are not suitable for vaccination trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH center will advance a vaccine candidate designed to protect against Neisseria gonorrhoeae by combining a meningococcal outer membrane vesicle vaccine with Ng-specific antigens, delivered via a special liposome platform. Researchers will optimize adjuvants and a microneedle patch to safely stimulate strong, protective immune responses. The work includes preclinical studies and plans to transition toward early clinical testing, with a focus on broad protection against diverse Ng strains. The goal is to reduce infections and transmission, particularly in settings where antibiotic resistance is a major challenge.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lead to a vaccine that lowers gonorrhea infections and slows the spread of resistant strains.
How similar studies have gone: Previous vaccine strategies against Ng have shown partial protection in preclinical models; a combined OMV-based approach with targeted antigens is a novel and promising direction.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
Bethesda, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jerse, Ann E. — Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
- Study coordinator: Jerse, Ann E.
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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.