Fast multi-antigen mRNA vaccine for bird flu (H7N9)
Official title: Rapid response to pandemic influenza via multi-antigen RNA-based vaccine
Funded at Tiba Biotech, LLC · NIH-11164740 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is building a three-part mRNA vaccine meant to give quick, broad protection against the dangerous H7N9 bird flu for people at risk in future pandemics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tiba Biotech, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | February 10, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $965,715 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI167158-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164740 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people at high risk of H7N9 exposure—such as healthcare workers, poultry workers, travelers to outbreak areas—or anyone eligible for pandemic influenza vaccination once human trials begin.
✕Less likely to help
People unlikely to benefit include those not at risk for H7N9, individuals with known allergies to vaccine components, and people whose immune systems cannot respond well to vaccines.
What this research studies
This project is developing an mRNA vaccine that delivers three influenza proteins (HA, NA, and NP) together to create broader immunity. The team is using a new delivery molecule intended to cause less inflammation than current lipid nanoparticles and to improve stability for easier storage and use. Proof-of-principle immune responses have been shown in mice, and the work aims to move the vaccine toward tests that could include people. The overall goal is a rapid-response vaccine platform that can be produced and deployed quickly against pandemic H7N9 strains.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could offer faster, broader protection against H7N9 with fewer side effects and simpler storage than current mRNA vaccines.
How similar studies have gone: mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 proved the mRNA platform can protect people quickly, but combining multiple influenza antigens with a less-inflammatory delivery is a newer approach that has so far only been proven in animals.
Where this research is happening
-
Tiba Biotech, LLC
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chahal, Jasdave — Tiba Biotech, LLC
- Study coordinator: Chahal, Jasdave
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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.