Flexible nanobody platform to make antitoxins and antivirals
A versatile structure-based therapeutic platform for development of VHH-based antitoxin and antiviral agents
This project is creating small, easy-to-produce 'nanobody' medicines aimed at neutralizing botulinum toxins and SARS-CoV-2 for people exposed to those threats.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141630 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is using detailed 3-D structural information to design compact antibody fragments (called VHH or 'nanobodies') that can be linked together into potent neutralizers (VNAs). They will develop sets of VNAs meant to work across all common subtypes of botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A, B, and E and against multiple forms of SARS-CoV-2. The candidates will be tested in laboratory experiments and animal disease models to check their potency, breadth, and practicality for delivery and storage. The overall aim is a rapid, adaptable platform that can be updated to counter new toxin variants or viral strains.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had suspected botulism exposure or who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 could be candidates for future clinical trials if these therapies advance to human testing.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to botulinum toxin or COVID-19, or those who will not undergo future clinical trials of these agents, would not directly benefit from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce fast-acting, broadly protective biologic treatments that are easier to manufacture, store, and use against botulism and COVID-19 variants.
How similar studies have performed: Monoclonal antibodies and early nanobody approaches have shown promise against viruses and toxins, but creating broadly protective, variant-resistant VNAs is still an emerging and partly untested area.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Tufts University Boston — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shoemaker, Charles Bix — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Shoemaker, Charles Bix
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 below.