Developing a treatment using viruses to combat antibiotic-resistant infections
Official title: Optimization, Manufacturing and Testing of a Lead Therapeutic Bacteriophage Cocktail for the Treatment of Antibiotic-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Infections
Funded at J. Craig Venter Institute, INC. · NIH-10892238 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new treatment using special viruses that can kill the bacteria causing tough infections, like those from Klebsiella pneumoniae, to help patients who are struggling with antibiotic-resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. Craig Venter Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 21, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $918,873 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176546-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892238 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with severe infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, particularly those who have not responded to conventional antibiotic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria other than Klebsiella pneumoniae may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a therapeutic cocktail of bacteriophages, which are viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria, to treat infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. As antibiotic resistance makes these infections harder to manage, the study aims to optimize the production of this phage cocktail and conduct necessary testing to prepare for clinical trials. The research involves collaboration between multiple institutions, leveraging their expertise in phage therapy and clinical applications. Patients with severe infections may benefit from this innovative approach if it proves effective.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for patients suffering from antibiotic-resistant infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using bacteriophages to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
J. Craig Venter Institute, INC.
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fouts, Derrick E — J. Craig Venter Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Fouts, Derrick E
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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.