Enhanced BCG vaccine that boosts immune defense against tuberculosis
Official title: BCG overexpressing a small molecule STING agonist as a vaccine for TB
Funded at Oncosting LLC · NIH-11333523 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are making an improved BCG vaccine that produces a small immune-stimulating molecule to help protect people from tuberculosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oncosting LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | June 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $991,112 |
| NIH project number | 4R44AI181290-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333523 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
When human trials start, ideal candidates would likely include people at higher risk of TB exposure, such as those living in high-burden areas or with latent infection.
✕Less likely to help
People with weakened immune systems or those who cannot receive live vaccines may not be eligible or benefit from a live BCG-based approach.
What this research studies
This project engineers BCG (the existing TB vaccine) to overproduce a small molecule called c-di-AMP that activates the STING immune pathway in the lung. The team will test two engineered strains (OS-101 and OS-151) in laboratory and animal experiments to see if they produce stronger and safer immune protection than standard BCG. Successful preclinical results would support moving toward human testing and could clarify how lung innate and adaptive immunity prevents TB.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a safer, more effective vaccine that better prevents tuberculosis infection and disease.
How similar studies have gone: While BCG protects well against severe childhood TB and STING-activating adjuvants show promise in preclinical work, using BCG that overproduces c-di-AMP is a novel approach not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Oncosting LLC
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wallach, Todd — Oncosting LLC
- Study coordinator: Wallach, Todd
Related research
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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.