Intranasal live-attenuated vaccine against Lassa virus
Official title: An intranasal live-attenuated vaccine to combat Lassa virus infection
Funded at Texas Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11353320 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nasal vaccine approach using live-attenuated Newcastle disease virus to protect people at risk from Lassa fever.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $238,463 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI198928-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11353320 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for Lassa fever exposure in endemic regions or settings where LASV is a concern may be eligible for future trials or related studies.
✕Less likely to help
General population not at risk for LASV exposure or those not participating in vaccine trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop an intranasal, live-attenuated vaccine that expresses Lassa virus proteins to safely provoke immunity. It builds on prior work showing NDV-based vaccines can be safe and protective when given in a single intranasal dose. The study tests viruses engineered to carry LASV components, evaluates their safety and immune response, and investigates protective efficacy in models that mimic human infection. If successful, this could lead to a practical vaccine option for West Africa where Lassa fever is common.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could provide a safe, easy-to-deliver protection against Lassa fever, potentially reducing illness and mortality in affected regions.
How similar studies have gone: NDV-based intranasal vaccines have shown safety and protective potential in prior research, supporting continued development.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martinez-Sobrido, Luis — Texas Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Martinez-Sobrido, Luis
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeting human HIV latency with super-enhancer RNA targets
A short, patient-friendly plan to explore how special RNA molecules in immune cells control HIV hiding in the body and how we might disrupt that to help control the virus.
-
Pathways to trigger protective MAIT cell responses against bacterial infections
A study to figure out which bacterial metabolite antigens activate MAIT cells through MR1 to defend against TB and tularemia.
-
IL-21 therapy to boost lung immunity in HIV/TB co-infection
A study tests an IL-21-based therapy added to HIV treatment to help the lungs control TB and reduce HIV persistence in people (or animal models that simulate them).
-
Focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier and reduce HIV reservoirs in the brain
A new approach uses gentle ultrasound to temporarily open the brain’s protective barrier so HIV medicines can reach the brain and shrink hidden virus reservoirs in people living with HIV.
-
Macrophage biology and metabolism in TB infection
Researchers are studying human lung macrophages to understand how they regulate immune responses and support or limit tuberculosis infection, with the goal of improving treatments that help the body fight TB.
-
Understanding how genetics and immunity shape chikungunya brain disease
A research project uses genetically diverse mice to learn why chikungunya virus causes brain inflammation in some people and how immune responses contribute to this disease.
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.