Making new compounds for treating infections and cancer

Accessing Carbon-based S(VI) compounds via Sulfur-Fluorine (SuFEx) Exchange Reactions

NIH-funded research Pomona College · NIH-11012145

This project aims to create new chemical compounds that could one day help develop medicines for conditions like bacterial infections, cancer, and heart disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPomona College NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Claremont, United States)
Project IDNIH-11012145 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers are working on new ways to build important organic molecules called S(VI)-based compounds, which are useful in medicine. Current methods for making these compounds are difficult and limit how they can be modified for specific uses. This project explores a new chemical process called Sulfur-Fluorine Exchange (SuFEx) to more easily create these compounds. By using simple catalysts, the team hopes to develop a more efficient way to produce a wide variety of these molecules, which could then be used in drug discovery efforts.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients with inflammatory disorders, cancer, or bacterial infections may eventually benefit from the new drug discoveries enabled by this foundational chemistry.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options will not directly benefit from this basic chemistry research, as it focuses on drug discovery methods rather than clinical application.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new and more effective drugs for inflammatory disorders, cancer, and bacterial infections.

How similar studies have performed: Sulfur-fluorine exchange (SuFEx) chemistry is a relatively new and promising pathway, and this project aims to overcome current challenges in its synthetic applications.

Where this research is happening

Claremont, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Bacterial InfectionsCancersCardiovascular Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.