Developing a new treatment for syphilis
Official title: Alternative Treatment for Syphilis
Funded at Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, INC · NIH-11306916 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for a new way to treat syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, and it invites patients to help find a better treatment that could work well for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Doylestown, United States) |
| Project start | November 15, 2024 |
| Project end | November 14, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $306,500 |
| NIH project number | 75N93025C00009-0-9999-1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11306916 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with syphilis who may benefit from alternative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with syphilis or those who have already received effective treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating an alternative treatment for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The project aims to identify and develop a new therapeutic agent that could effectively combat this infection. By exploring innovative treatment options, the research seeks to improve patient outcomes and address the limitations of current therapies. Patients may be involved in the research process, contributing to the development of a potentially more effective treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for patients suffering from syphilis.
How similar studies have gone: While alternative treatments for syphilis are being explored, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
-
Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, INC
Doylestown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smithgall, Thomas E. — Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, INC
- Study coordinator: Smithgall, Thomas E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Syphilis in Pregnancy: Understanding Infection in Moms and Babies
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-
Syphilis in Pregnancy: Molecular Tests and Immune Responses in Mom and Baby
A study to understand how syphilis affects pregnancy and newborns by using molecular tests and tracking immune responses in 750 pregnant women with syphilis and their babies.
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Crowdsourced digital messaging to boost syphilis and HIV testing for women in NYC and rural Alabama
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Preventing syphilis in pregnant people in Rio de Janeiro
A clinical trial in Brazil tests a pregnancy-safe antibiotic plan to stop syphilis from affecting babies.
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Cefixime vs Penicillin G for Early Syphilis in HIV and non-HIV patients
This project compares a cefixime-based treatment to standard penicillin for early syphilis in people with and without HIV.
-
Preventing congenital syphilis in pregnant people at risk in Rio de Janeiro
A clinical trial will test a treatment approach during pregnancy to reduce syphilis transmission from mother to baby for pregnant people at risk in Rio de Janeiro.
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.