CMV vaccine to protect mothers and babies from congenital CMV infections
Official title: Live-attenuated replication defective cytomegalovirus vaccine for preventing congenital infection and birth defects
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11433338 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new CMV vaccine approach aims to safely protect pregnant women and their babies from congenital CMV and related birth defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $756,482 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI201594-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11433338 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are women of childbearing age and pregnant women at risk of CMV exposure, plus their newborns.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant women or infants who cannot receive vaccines due to specific medical contraindications may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project proposes a CMV vaccine that uses inactivated replication-defective virus to provoke immune protection without the risk of replication, targeting protection for pregnant women, fetuses, and newborns. The approach maintains the full set of viral antigens to elicit a robust immune response while minimizing safety concerns during pregnancy. Researchers will work with Virginia Commonwealth University to develop and test this vaccine candidate, focusing on safety for maternal use and potential protection for infants after birth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could reduce congenital CMV infections and associated disabilities in infants.
How similar studies have gone: This builds on prior CMV vaccine concepts but uses a novel CM-inactivated replication-defective approach with enhanced safety.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jaijyan, Dabbu Kumar — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Jaijyan, Dabbu Kumar
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.