Developing a vaccine to protect against hepatitis C virus infection
Official title: SELECTION OF VACCINE ANTIGENS FOR PROTECTION FROM HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION
Funded at Saint Louis University · NIH-10836046 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new vaccine designed to help protect people from hepatitis C, a virus that can cause serious liver problems, by boosting their immune response to prevent reinfection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Louis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $327,240 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK122401-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10836046 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk of hepatitis C virus infection or those who have previously been infected.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already infected with hepatitis C and have progressed to end-stage liver disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a vaccine to protect against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which can lead to severe liver disease. The approach involves modifying the HCV envelope glycoprotein to enhance immune responses and prevent reinfection. By using advanced techniques like nucleoside modified mRNA-lipid nanoparticles, the researchers aim to stimulate a stronger immune reaction in patients. The study will assess the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine candidate in generating protective immunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a vaccine that prevents hepatitis C virus infection and its associated liver diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing vaccines for viral infections, but this specific approach is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ray, Ranjit — Saint Louis University
- Study coordinator: Ray, Ranjit
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Rational hepatitis C vaccine design guided by natural clearance patterns
A Johns Hopkins team is studying how some people naturally clear hepatitis C to guide a vaccine that could prevent infection.
-
Real-world patient and clinician preferences to improve prenatal care for women with OUD and HCV
Researchers are exploring how pregnant women with opioid use disorder and hepatitis C, along with their clinicians, would like to receive care to improve outcomes for moms and babies.
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A small, patient-focused study will look at how HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted infections occur together in rural people who inject drugs during an HIV outbreak, and what factors relate to these co-infections.
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Low-threshold hepatitis C treatment in jail to help people released back to the community
A patient-friendly plan to test a simple, quick hepatitis C treatment in jail for people who use drugs, with care that continues after release.
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Precise, rapid HCV detection from blood at the point of care
Aiming to provide a fast, easy blood test to detect hepatitis C right where care is delivered.
-
Hepatitis C screening tool used in the Emergency Department
A new ED screening tool helps identify people at risk for hepatitis C so they can get diagnosed and treated sooner.
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.