New approaches to fight drug-resistant Acinetobacter infections
Understanding B-Lactam Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii
['FUNDING_R01'] · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11396289
Developing new medicines to treat people with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11396289 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project is working to create drugs that overcome the enzymes and cell‑barriers that make Acinetobacter baumannii resistant to many antibiotics. Researchers will design improved boronic acid inhibitors to block both serine and metallo‑β‑lactamases (including IMP‑1, IMP‑14, and NDM‑1) and make molecules that penetrate bacterial cells more effectively. They will also map the genetic diversity of β‑lactamases and study bacterial changes caused by OXA enzyme overproduction to reveal new vulnerabilities. Much of the work is currently laboratory and animal‑based, with the aim of producing drug candidates that could later be tested in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with confirmed carbapenem‑resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections would be the ultimate candidates for any therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: People without A. baumannii infections or whose infections respond to existing antibiotics are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce new antibiotic candidates that treat carbapenem‑resistant A. baumannii and reduce deaths from these hard‑to‑treat hospital infections.
How similar studies have performed: Some β‑lactamase inhibitors have worked against other resistant bacteria, but targeting metallo‑β‑lactamases and improving drug penetration into A. baumannii remains largely experimental with limited clinical success so far.
Where this research is happening
CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES
- CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY — CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BONOMO, ROBERT A. — CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: BONOMO, ROBERT A.
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 below.