New inhibitors to help antibiotics work against drug-resistant bacteria
Official title: Broad spectrum β-lactamase inhibitors employing a Trojan horse mechanism to rescue β-lactams against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Funded at Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-10773624 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to help antibiotics work better against tough infections caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, so patients can have more effective treatment options when dealing with these resistant infections.
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 | March 10, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI170331-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10773624 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, particularly those with multidrug-resistant strains.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria that are not Pseudomonas aeruginosa may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of inhibitor that can help restore the effectiveness of β-lactam antibiotics against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The approach involves creating a catechol-conjugated β-lactamase inhibitor that facilitates the entry of antibiotics into bacterial cells, overcoming resistance mechanisms. By optimizing these inhibitors, the research aims to enhance the activity of existing antibiotics like ceftolozane, which is currently used to treat serious infections. Patients may benefit from improved treatment options for infections caused by resistant bacteria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with more effective treatments for infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing inhibitors that enhance the efficacy of antibiotics against resistant bacteria, indicating a potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC.
Malvern, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Bin — Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC.
- Study coordinator: Liu, Bin
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.