Finding new RNA vaccines for Group A strep
Official title: An RNA vaccines systems approach to Group A streptococcus vaccine discovery
Funded at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine · NIH-10991334 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is working to find the best combination of ingredients for a new RNA vaccine to protect against Group A strep infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (London, United Kingdom) |
| Project start | January 13, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $345,037 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173691-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991334 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients, but future vaccine trials would likely target children and adults susceptible to Group A strep infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not at risk for Group A strep infections would not directly benefit from this specific vaccine development.
What this research studies
Group A strep infections cause significant health problems worldwide, and currently, there isn't a vaccine available. This project aims to develop a new type of vaccine using self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) technology. Researchers will study how adults naturally fight off Group A strep to understand what kind of protection children would need. They will then create and test different saRNA vaccine combinations to see which ones are most effective at preventing infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new vaccine that prevents Group A strep infections globally, potentially eradicating rheumatic heart disease and reducing severe infections.
How similar studies have gone: While there is no Group A strep vaccine in clinical use, RNA vaccine technology has shown success in other areas, making this a promising, yet still early-stage, approach for strep.
Where this research is happening
-
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
London, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sriskandan, Shiranee — Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
- Study coordinator: Sriskandan, Shiranee
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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.