Investigating a new treatment for Chagas disease using a prodrug
Official title: The activation of benzoxaborole prodrug AN15368, a clinical candidate for Chagas disease
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-10789941 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new treatment for Chagas disease, which is caused by a parasite and can affect your heart, and it’s testing a special medication that the parasite needs to activate in order to work better, so researchers can figure out how well it works and if the parasite might resist it before it’s tested in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | February 16, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $188,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI171727-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10789941 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Chagas disease, particularly those who have not responded well to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Chagas disease or those with advanced heart disease unrelated to Chagas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on Chagas disease, which is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and can lead to serious heart issues. The study is exploring a new treatment option, a prodrug called AN15368, which needs to be activated by the parasite itself to become effective. Researchers will analyze how this prodrug is metabolized in different life stages of the parasite, aiming to understand its effectiveness and potential resistance mechanisms. By using advanced mass spectrometry techniques, the research seeks to optimize the treatment approach before it moves into human clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective and safer treatment for Chagas disease, potentially reducing the incidence of infection-induced heart disease.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using prodrugs is established, the specific application of AN15368 for Chagas disease is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tarleton, Rick L — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Tarleton, Rick L
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.