Humanized antibody to prevent and treat Q fever
Official title: Use a humanized monoclonal antibody as an emergency prophylactic and therapeutictreatment against human Q fever
Funded at Zenvax, LLC · NIH-11420515 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new antibody-based approach aims to prevent and treat Q fever in people by using a humanized monoclonal antibody.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Zenvax, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Helotes, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 24, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $295,168 |
| NIH project number | 5R41AI188656-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420515 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at high risk of Q fever exposure or people with early Q fever infection who could benefit from antibody-based prevention or treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unlikely to respond to antibody-based prophylaxis or those with established long-term Q fever complications may see minimal benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a passively delivered humanized antibody to stop Q fever caused by Coxiella burnetii and to treat early infections. Researchers plan to show that a single antibody can provide both prevention and therapy against this intracellular bacterium, especially when exposure is possible through aerosols. The work is in an early, proof-of-concept phase using a human-targeted antibody strategy with preclinical models and safety assessments. If successful, it could lead to a new option for people at risk of exposure or suffering from Q fever.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, people at risk of Q fever could receive a new protective or therapeutic option, reducing infection risk and improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies showed that a targeted monoclonal antibody provided protection against related aerosol exposure, supporting further exploration in this human-focused strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
Zenvax, LLC
Helotes, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Guoquan — Zenvax, LLC
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Guoquan
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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.