Delivering antibodies to the brain to treat Eastern equine encephalitis virus infections.
Official title: Efficient and Long-lived Brain Delivery of Neutralizing Antibodies Against Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus for Post-exposure Therapy
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11118151 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to deliver special antibodies directly to the brain to help fight infections from the Eastern equine encephalitis virus, especially for people who have been exposed to it and are showing symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $240,300 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI190578-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118151 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been exposed to Eastern equine encephalitis virus, particularly those showing early symptoms of infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to the Eastern equine encephalitis virus or those with advanced stages of the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new method to deliver neutralizing antibodies directly to the brain to combat infections caused by the Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV). The approach involves creating bispecific antibodies that can efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier, which is crucial for treating patients who have been exposed to the virus via aerosol. By administering these antibodies intravenously, the goal is to provide rapid and sustained therapeutic effects, especially after symptoms have appeared. This innovative strategy aims to address a significant gap in current treatment options for EEEV and similar encephalitic viruses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments for patients exposed to EEEV, potentially reducing the severity of the disease and improving recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using bispecific antibodies for targeted delivery in other contexts, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tessier, Peter M — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Tessier, Peter M
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.