Inhaled Tigecycline Powder to Treat lung infections from non-tuberculous mycobacteria
Official title: Development of Macrophage Targeting Inhaled Tigecycline Dry Powder Formulation for Treating Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Infections
Funded at Via Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11314719 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A tiny inhaled powder medicine is being tested to help people with lung infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria by delivering antibiotic directly to the lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Via Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $313,674 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AI197715-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11314719 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung infections, particularly those with M. abscessus or similar NTM species.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without NTM lung infections or those unable to use inhaled therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a new inhaled formulation of Tigecycline designed as a dry powder to reach alveolar macrophages where NTM can hide. The approach uses a small, controlled-dose inhalation to improve drug delivery into the lungs and biofilms, aiming to overcome poor penetration and high toxicity seen with current therapies. The study is at the early development stage and will examine safety and pharmacokinetics in humans to guide future trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this inhaled therapy could provide better lung drug exposure with fewer side effects for people with difficult-to-treat NTM infections.
How similar studies have gone: There is existing work on inhaled antibiotics and macrophage-targeted delivery, but this specific formulation is in early development.
Where this research is happening
-
Via Therapeutics, LLC
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smyth, Hugh David — Via Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Smyth, Hugh David
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.