Developing a new oral antibiotic to treat drug-resistant gonorrhea infections.

Lead optimization of oral DHFR inhibitor for the treatment of multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae infections.

NIH-funded research Taxis Pharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-11182998

This study is working on a new pill to help treat gonorrhea, especially the tough strains that don't respond to current medicines, so patients can have a better and safer option for getting better.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTaxis Pharmaceuticals, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Monmouth Junction, United States)
Project IDNIH-11182998 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a new oral antibiotic specifically designed to combat multidrug-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea. The approach involves optimizing a class of compounds that target bacterial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), which is crucial for bacterial growth. The research aims to develop a drug that is not only effective against resistant strains but also has good oral bioavailability and a favorable safety profile. Patients may benefit from a new treatment option as current therapies are becoming ineffective due to resistance.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with gonorrhea, particularly those with infections resistant to standard antibiotic treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with gonorrhea infections that are not resistant to current antibiotics may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new effective treatment for patients suffering from drug-resistant gonorrhea infections.

How similar studies have performed: While the development of new antibiotics is challenging, there have been successful efforts in creating targeted therapies for antibiotic-resistant infections, making this approach promising yet still somewhat novel.

Where this research is happening

Monmouth Junction, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.