Developing targeted treatments to silence HIV in the body
Official title: Targeted small molecule recruitment to suppress the HIV transcriptionally active reservoir
Funded at J. David Gladstone Institutes · NIH-11169612 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to help people with HIV, especially those who also struggle with substance use, by developing special medicines that can keep the virus from coming back, so they might not need to take daily treatments forever.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $687,416 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA063159-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169612 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living with HIV, particularly those who also struggle with substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those who do not have a history of substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new therapies to effectively silence HIV in patients, particularly those with substance use disorders. It aims to develop small molecules that can specifically target and inhibit the HIV genome, preventing the virus from reactivating in the body. By using a combination of chemical inhibitors and targeted delivery strategies, the research seeks to improve the effectiveness of existing antiretroviral therapies and address the challenges posed by latent HIV reservoirs. Patients may benefit from a potential long-term solution to manage HIV without the need for continuous treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a breakthrough in HIV treatment, allowing patients to maintain viral suppression without ongoing antiretroviral therapy.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting HIV reservoirs is being explored, this specific strategy of using small molecule recruitment is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
J. David Gladstone Institutes
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ott, Melanie Maria — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Ott, Melanie Maria
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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.