Creating a vaccine to prevent Group B Streptococcus infections in newborns
Official title: Development of a Group B Streptococcus bioconjugate vaccine
Funded at Vaxnewmo, LLC · NIH-11089573 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, affordable vaccine to help protect newborns from Group B Streptococcus, which can cause serious infections, and aims to make it easier to produce so that more babies can benefit, especially in places that need it most.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vaxnewmo, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | March 12, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $995,682 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI142928-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089573 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns, particularly those at risk of Group B Streptococcus infections, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 89 days or those who have already been diagnosed with GBS infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a bioconjugate vaccine to protect newborns from Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a major cause of severe infections like meningitis and sepsis. The project aims to create a low-cost vaccine that targets the most common GBS serotypes responsible for early and late-onset diseases. By utilizing innovative manufacturing techniques, the researchers hope to simplify the vaccine production process, making it more accessible, especially in low-resource settings. The ultimate goal is to provide a preventive measure that can significantly reduce the incidence of GBS infections in infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a widely available vaccine that significantly decreases the rates of GBS infections in newborns, saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with conjugate vaccines for other bacterial pathogens, indicating a promising potential for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Vaxnewmo, LLC
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harding, Christian — Vaxnewmo, LLC
- Study coordinator: Harding, Christian
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.