New small-molecule drugs to treat nontuberculous mycobacterial infections
Official title: Heterocyclic Inhibitors of QcrB as Novel Drugs for Infections Caused by Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Funded at Fimbrion Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-11377990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A health-focused small-molecule project is developing new drugs to treat stubborn NTM lung infections in people with weakened immunity or preexisting lung disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fimbrion Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 23, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $300,001 |
| NIH project number | 5R43AI188991-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Candidates would be people with NTM pulmonary disease or those at risk due to lung conditions or immunosuppression, potentially including patients in future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without NTM or with non-responsive disease to future drugs may not experience benefit, and preclinical results do not yet guarantee clinical benefit.
What this research studies
NTM infections, especially NTM-PD caused by Mab and MAC, are hard to treat because many NTMs resist standard antibiotics. This project from Fimbrion Therapeutics aims to create a new class of heterocyclic inhibitors that may work through a novel mechanism. The work includes preclinical testing in models and early-readouts of efficacy and safety to advance toward potential human trials. If successful, this could shorten treatment duration and reduce toxic side effects for patients who currently endure long, multi-drug regimens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience shorter, safer treatments with better outcomes for NTM-PD.
How similar studies have gone: NTM-targeted antibiotics with new mechanisms are in early stages; this represents a promising, but exploratory, approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Fimbrion Therapeutics, INC.
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgrane, Laurel — Fimbrion Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Mcgrane, Laurel
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.