Creating better flu vaccines using a new immune booster
Official title: DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINES FOR INFLUENZA USING AN IMMUNO-MODULATOR ADJUVANT AND MULTI-PLATFORM APPROACH
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11126498 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to make flu vaccines work better by adding special ingredients that help your immune system respond more effectively, which could lead to fewer side effects and stronger protection against the flu.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $3,691,826 |
| NIH project number | 75N93023C00044-P00001-9999-1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126498 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at higher risk for influenza, such as the elderly, young children, and those with compromised immune systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for influenza or those who have contraindications to vaccination may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new formulation for flu vaccines that includes an immune-modulating adjuvant to enhance the vaccine's effectiveness. The team aims to customize the immune response to reduce side effects and increase antibody levels, making the vaccine more effective at preventing influenza. They will combine a molecule called Bafetinib with another promising compound, INI-4001, to create a more potent adjuvant system. The research will involve testing these formulations in established vaccine models to ensure their safety and efficacy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective flu vaccines with fewer side effects, improving overall public health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using immune-modulating adjuvants to enhance vaccine responses, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El-Kammash, Bruxanne — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: El-Kammash, Bruxanne
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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.