Creating antibodies to fight henipaviruses
Official title: Development of broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies against henipaviruses
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11130131 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating special antibodies that can fight off henipaviruses, which can make people and animals very sick, with the hope that these antibodies could help in making better vaccines in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 26, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $809,614 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI185102-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11130131 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals at high risk of exposure to henipaviruses, such as healthcare workers or those living in endemic areas.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of henipavirus infections or those with existing immunity to these viruses may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing human monoclonal antibodies that can neutralize henipaviruses, which are known to cause severe respiratory and neurological diseases in humans and animals. The project aims to create broadly neutralizing antibodies that are effective against a wide range of henipaviruses, including Hendra and Nipah viruses, by targeting specific proteins involved in the virus's ability to infect cells. The researchers will use genetically modified mice to produce these antibodies and assess their potential for future vaccine development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments or preventive measures against henipavirus infections, significantly reducing the risk of severe disease and death.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing monoclonal antibodies against other viral pathogens, suggesting that this approach could be effective for henipaviruses as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Benhur — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Lee, Benhur
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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.