New drugs targeting tuberculosis using host defense mechanisms
Official title: Ubiquitin pathway modulators as novel antituberculosis drugs
Funded at Progenra, INC. · NIH-11178166 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to help your body fight tuberculosis, especially the tougher strains that don't respond to regular treatments, by using a special protein called Parkin to boost your immune system and stop the bacteria from growing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Progenra, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Malvern, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $302,421 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AI191788-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178166 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis, especially those with drug-resistant forms of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have tuberculosis or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative drugs to treat tuberculosis (TB), particularly drug-resistant strains. It aims to utilize the body's own defense mechanisms, specifically targeting a protein called Parkin, which plays a crucial role in eliminating the bacteria that cause TB. By activating Parkin, the researchers hope to enhance the immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, potentially leading to more effective treatments. The study will evaluate new compounds that can activate Parkin and assess their ability to inhibit TB growth in laboratory models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, effective treatments for both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using host defense mechanisms to combat infections, suggesting that this approach could be effective for tuberculosis as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Progenra, INC.
Malvern, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suresh, Kumar — Progenra, INC.
- Study coordinator: Suresh, Kumar
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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New treatments for pancreatitis using ubiquitin pathway modulators
This study is looking at new ways to help people with acute and chronic pancreatitis by finding treatments that support healthy cell function, and it aims to test new compounds to see how well they work in improving this condition.
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.