Designer covalent blockers to stop IgE-driven allergic reactions
Official title: Designer covalent heterobivalent inhibitors to prevent IgE-dependent allergic reactions
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11551489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to block IgE antibodies that trigger allergic reactions in people with allergic asthma, potentially reducing severe symptoms without broad immune suppression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2014 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $613,531 |
| NIH project number | 2R56AI108884-11A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11551489 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with atopic or IgE-mediated allergic asthma who experience frequent or severe symptoms despite standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals whose asthma is not predominantly IgE-driven or who have non-allergic triggers may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project seeks to create allergen-specific IgE inhibitors that bind to IgE on mast cells and prevent recognition of common airborne allergens, such as house dust mites. By targeting the IgE-allergen interaction with covalent heterobivalent inhibitors, the therapy aims to stop the allergic cascade at its source. The work focuses on translating a novel molecule design into a potential treatment that could lessen asthma attacks and emergency visits related to IgE-mediated allergies. Researchers will utilize human-relevant models and allergen structures to evaluate safety and effectiveness, with a clear eye toward future clinical testing in patients with allergic asthma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a targeted therapy that reduces allergic asthma symptoms and emergency care needs by blocking IgE from initiating allergic reactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous concepts targeting IgE pathways have shown promise, though this specific covalent heterobivalent inhibitor approach is novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
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University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bilgicer, Zihni Basar — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Bilgicer, Zihni Basar
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.