New antibiotics to fight drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections
Official title: Novel Cyclic Boronate Cell Wall Inhibitors Targeting Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Funded at Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-11064025 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new type of antibiotic that can help treat tough infections caused by a bacteria called Acinetobacter baumannii, which is resistant to many existing antibiotics, so that patients can have better options for recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Malvern, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI181353-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064025 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria that are not resistant to carbapenems may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new class of antibiotics called cyclic boronates that specifically target and inhibit the growth of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB). The approach involves creating compounds that can effectively bypass the bacterial defenses that have rendered traditional antibiotics ineffective. By targeting penicillin-binding proteins, these new antibiotics aim to provide a viable treatment option for patients suffering from severe infections caused by this resistant pathogen. The research includes laboratory testing to evaluate the effectiveness of these compounds against various clinical isolates of CRAB.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for patients with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, significantly improving their chances of recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing new antibiotics targeting resistant bacteria, but this specific approach using cyclic boronates is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC.
Malvern, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uehara, Tsuyoshi — Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC.
- Study coordinator: Uehara, Tsuyoshi
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.