Development of a painless patch for delivering HIV treatment to children
Official title: MAPs for Peds: Development of a Microarray Patch for Delivery of Long-Acting Antiretrovirals for Treatment of Pediatric HIV Infection
Funded at Path · NIH-11090370 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new kind of bandage that uses tiny needles to deliver long-lasting HIV medicine for kids, making it easier and less painful for them to stick to their treatment at home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Path NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 16, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $403,741 |
| NIH project number | 5R33AI149642-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090370 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are living with HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those who do not have HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating microarray patches (MAPs) that deliver long-acting antiretroviral medications for the treatment of pediatric HIV infection. These patches are designed to be applied like a bandage, using tiny dissolving needles that painlessly penetrate the skin to release medication. The goal is to improve treatment adherence among children by providing a simple, at-home application that requires minimal time and is more acceptable than traditional injections. The project will involve defining the needs of pediatric patients and optimizing the formulation of the patches for effective drug delivery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more convenient and less painful method for children to receive HIV treatment, improving their health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using microneedle technology for drug delivery, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Path
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Choy, Robert Kwai Ming — Path
- Study coordinator: Choy, Robert Kwai Ming
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
A study will look at how age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosomal changes might contribute to heart disease risk in people living with HIV.
-
Cardiac health and protein markers in kids with perinatal HIV exposure or infection
A study from Duke aims to understand heart health and protein biomarkers in children who were exposed to or infected with HIV at birth, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
-
HBV cure clues in people with and without HIV
This project studies how HBV-specific B and T cell responses relate to curing hepatitis B in people with and without HIV.
-
HBV cure factors in people with and without HIV
This project studies how HBV-specific immune cells behave during treatment and whether people with HIV respond differently than those without HIV.
-
Myocardial fibrosis and fat in ART-treated women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This project studies heart tissue changes in women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa who are on antiretroviral therapy, to understand why they’re at higher risk for heart problems as they age.
-
Myocardial fibrosis and fat in ART-treated women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This grant studies heart tissue changes in women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa to understand why heart failure risk is higher in this group.
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.