New treatments for Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi
Official title: Trypanocidal Agents that Kill Multiple Stages of the Trypanosoma cruzi Life Cycle
Funded at Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, INC · NIH-11061875 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating new medicines to help people with Chagas disease, which is caused by a parasite, because the current treatments aren't very effective or can cause side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Doylestown, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI152788-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061875 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Chagas disease, particularly those in the chronic phase who have not responded well to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Chagas disease or those in the acute phase may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new medications to treat Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Current treatments are limited due to the parasite's resistance and the adverse effects of existing drugs. The research involves synthesizing novel compounds and testing their effectiveness against multiple stages of the parasite's life cycle. Collaborations with various international research institutions enhance the study's scope and potential impact on patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for Chagas disease, improving outcomes for patients suffering from this neglected tropical disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research efforts targeting Chagas disease have shown promise in developing new treatments, but this approach is particularly novel in its focus on multiple life stages of the parasite.
Where this research is happening
-
Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, INC
Doylestown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdonnell, Mark E — Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, INC
- Study coordinator: Mcdonnell, Mark E
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.