Developing a one-time gene therapy to suppress HIV replication.

Non-viral gene therapy with eCD4-Ig

NIH-funded research Emmune, INC · NIH-11195805

This study is testing a new type of gene therapy that uses a special protein to help keep HIV under control with just one shot in the muscle, so people living with HIV might not need to take daily medications anymore.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmmune, INC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Juno Beach, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11195805 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a non-viral gene therapy using a therapeutic protein called eCD4-Ig, which aims to provide long-lasting suppression of HIV after a single intramuscular injection. The therapy is designed to counteract the virus's ability to escape neutralizing antibodies, which is a significant challenge in treating HIV. By enhancing the efficiency of gene transfer into skeletal muscle, the researchers hope to maintain effective levels of eCD4-Ig in the body for a lifetime. This innovative approach could potentially eliminate the need for ongoing treatments for HIV.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are seeking a more permanent treatment option.

Not a fit: Patients who are not infected with HIV or those who have advanced AIDS may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a long-term solution for managing HIV, significantly improving the quality of life for patients.

How similar studies have performed: While gene therapy for HIV is an emerging field, this specific approach using eCD4-Ig is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.

Where this research is happening

Juno Beach, 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.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.