Chimeric vaccine to prevent syphilis and congenital transmission
Official title: Development of a Chimeric Syphilis Vaccine Candidate to Combat Local, Disseminated and Congenital Syphilis Infection
Funded at University of Victoria · NIH-11325887 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a combined vaccine designed to stop syphilis infection, its spread through the body, and transmission to unborn babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Victoria NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Victoria, Canada) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,594,456 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI182035-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325887 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People at higher risk for syphilis—including sexually active adults in areas with rising syphilis rates and pregnant people in endemic regions—would be the likely candidates for future vaccine trials.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not at risk for syphilis, or those with medical contraindications to vaccination (such as certain severe allergies or incompatible immune conditions), may not gain benefit from this vaccine effort.
What this research studies
Researchers are combining key surface proteins of the syphilis bacterium into a single chimeric vaccine candidate that targets how the bug attaches, causes local sores, and spreads through the bloodstream. The team has tested these antigens in rabbit models and seen promising protection against infection and dissemination. Ongoing work will refine the vaccine design, test safety and immune responses in lab studies, and prepare for future clinical testing in people. The overall goal is to produce a vaccine that prevents primary infection and blocks congenital transmission.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could reduce new syphilis cases, prevent severe complications like neurological and cardiovascular problems, and stop transmission from pregnant people to babies.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical animal studies using the same and related syphilis antigens have shown partial protection in rabbits, but no approved human syphilis vaccine exists yet.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Victoria
Victoria, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cameron, Caroline E — University of Victoria
- Study coordinator: Cameron, Caroline 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.