Multivalent saRNA Lyme Vaccine for Broad Protection
Official title: Multivalent Vaccine Against Lyme Disease via Modified Self-Amplifying RNA
Funded at Keylicon Biosciences INC · NIH-11311427 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new RNA-based vaccine aims to protect people against multiple Lyme disease bacteria using a single low-dose shot.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Keylicon Biosciences INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brookline, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $314,363 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AI197345-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11311427 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults at risk of Lyme exposure in regions where the disease is common.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with conditions unrelated to Lyme disease or those not at risk of exposure may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores a self-amplifying RNA vaccine that can express several Borrelia antigens at once, with the goal of providing broad protection against Lyme disease. The approach focuses on overcoming innate immune activation that can limit vaccine effectiveness, using specific modified nucleotides to improve safety and performance. If successful, it could enable a multivalent vaccine that requires fewer doses and simpler manufacturing compared to current options. The work is conducted by Keylicon Biosciences and focuses on translating a novel saRNA platform toward a Lyme disease vaccine candidate that could move toward clinical testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could offer broad protection against Lyme disease with a simpler, lower-dose regimen.
How similar studies have gone: Past RNA vaccine work has shown promise; saRNA approaches are developing with potential for rapid, multivalent protection.
Where this research is happening
-
Keylicon Biosciences INC
Brookline, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgee, Joshua — Keylicon Biosciences INC
- Study coordinator: Mcgee, Joshua
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding why some people have ongoing symptoms after Lyme disease
A long-term study follows people diagnosed with acute Lyme disease to see who develops persistent symptoms and why, with care from a team of Lyme experts.
-
CSF Protein Map in Post-Treatment Lyme Disease
A short study to map proteins in spinal fluid of people who had Lyme disease and still feel sick after standard treatment, to understand what’s going on.
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Lyme disease vaccine research aimed at preventing infection
Researchers are developing a Lyme disease vaccine by studying how the immune system responds to Borrelia burgdorferi and testing vaccine approaches to prevent illness.
-
Lyme disease brain health: tracking brain signals and blood clues after treatment
This study follows people with early Lyme disease and compares them to healthy volunteers to see how the brain and blood markers change over a year after starting antibiotics.
-
Lyme disease symptoms lingering after treatment may be driven by special bacterial fragments
A human-friendly look at a study exploring why some Lyme patients keep symptoms after antibiotics and whether tiny fragments from the bacteria are to blame.
-
Understanding Lyme disease immune signals to predict recovery after antibiotics
A research project at MIT aims to find immune biomarkers that tell which Lyme patients will recover after standard antibiotics and who might have lasting symptoms.
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.