Developing new antifungal drugs to combat resistant infections
Official title: Structure-based design of antifungal inhibitors targeting the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) ethanolamine phosphate transferase, Mcd4
Funded at Prokaryotics, INC. · NIH-11125253 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new antifungal medicines that target a specific part of certain harmful fungi, like Aspergillus and Candida, to help fight infections, especially as some fungi are becoming harder to treat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Prokaryotics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Union, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $170,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI185171-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11125253 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from invasive fungal infections, particularly those caused by resistant strains of Candida or Aspergillus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-fungal infections or those who do not have a history of antifungal resistance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating innovative antifungal agents that target a specific enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI), which is crucial for the survival of certain fungal pathogens. The study aims to address the growing problem of antifungal resistance by designing inhibitors that can effectively combat infections caused by fungi like Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida auris. By utilizing structure-based design, the researchers will explore new mechanisms of action that could lead to more effective treatments for invasive fungal infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antifungal medications that are effective against resistant fungal infections, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been some advancements in antifungal drug development, this approach targeting GPI biosynthesis is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Prokaryotics, INC.
Union, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roemer, Terry — Prokaryotics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Roemer, Terry
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.