New anti-leishmanial tambjamines to treat visceral leishmaniasis
Official title: Lead Optimization of Novel Antileishmanial Tambjamines
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11448841 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to develop improved tambjamine compounds to treat dangerous visceral leishmaniasis, focusing on safer, more effective oral therapies for people affected by this neglected disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,878,404 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI195972-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448841 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with visceral leishmaniasis or populations in regions where Leishmania donovani is endemic could ultimately benefit from new therapies developed through this project.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in settings without access to new therapies or those with adverse reactions to tambjamines may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on prior work showing tambjamines can inhibit Leishmania parasites and that some compounds reduce disease in mice. Researchers will expand medicinal chemistry to create new tambjamine analogs with better in vitro efficacy and in vivo performance, followed by testing in cellular and animal models of infection. The goal is to identify lead compounds that are potent against the parasite, have acceptable safety, and could become oral therapies for people in resource-poor settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could yield new orally available drugs to treat visceral leishmaniasis, reducing toxicity and improving access for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work showed partial disease reduction in a mouse model and in vitro potency, suggesting potential for further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Landfear, Scott M — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Landfear, Scott M
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.