Developing antibody treatments for a dangerous viral infection
Official title: Antibody-based therapeutic strategy for New World mammarenavirus hemorrhagic fever
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10975931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new treatments using special antibodies to help fight infections from a virus that can cause serious illness, aiming to stop the virus from entering human cells and keeping people safe from getting sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | November 15, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $731,002 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173769-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been exposed to or are at risk of infection from New World mammarenaviruses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of exposure to New World mammarenaviruses or those with other unrelated viral infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new antibody-based therapies to combat New World mammarenavirus infections, which can lead to severe hemorrhagic fever. The approach involves targeting a specific receptor on human cells that the virus uses to enter, thereby preventing the virus from infecting the cells. Researchers have developed a chimeric antibody that has shown promise in laboratory models by blocking the virus's entry and providing protection against the disease. The goal is to advance these therapies for potential use in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments for patients infected with New World mammarenaviruses, significantly improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in developing antibody therapies for other viral infections, suggesting a promising potential for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Penichet, Manuel L — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Penichet, Manuel L
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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.