Developing new lipopeptide inhibitors to block SARS-CoV-2 infection
Official title: Structure-guided design of protease-resistant, lipopeptide inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11054650 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new treatments that use special peptides to stop the COVID-19 virus from entering your cells, which could help make infections less severe or less common for people who get sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32AI176876-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054650 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at high risk for severe COVID-19, including those with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for COVID-19 or those who have already been vaccinated may not receive significant benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating innovative peptide-based inhibitors that can effectively prevent SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, from entering human cells. The approach involves designing lipopeptides that can resist degradation by enzymes in the body, allowing for more effective and longer-lasting treatment options. By targeting the spike protein of the virus, which is crucial for its ability to infect cells, the research aims to develop a new class of antiviral agents that can adapt to the rapidly changing virus. Patients may benefit from these new therapies if they are successful in reducing the severity or incidence of COVID-19 infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective antiviral treatments for COVID-19, potentially reducing hospitalizations and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing peptide inhibitors for other viruses, suggesting that this approach could be effective for SARS-CoV-2 as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuhn, Ariel Jade — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Kuhn, Ariel Jade
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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.