New treatments for drug-resistant gonorrhea
Official title: New class of PBP inhibitors to address PBP2-mediated resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Funded at Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-10686113 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new antibiotics to help treat gonorrhea, especially for people who have infections that don't respond to regular treatments, so they can have better options when facing antibiotic resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Malvern, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,582,840 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI141239-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10686113 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with gonorrhea, particularly those with infections resistant to standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-gonococcal infections or those who do not have antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new class of antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant gonorrhea, a significant global health threat. The approach involves creating novel Penicillin Binding Protein (PBP) inhibitors that can effectively target and overcome the resistance mechanisms of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. By optimizing a new chemical series that is resistant to common bacterial defenses, the research aims to provide alternative treatment options for patients who have limited choices due to antibiotic resistance. The project is driven by the urgent need for effective therapies as current options are becoming ineffective.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new antibiotic treatments that effectively manage and cure drug-resistant gonorrhea.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of developing new PBP inhibitors is innovative, similar strategies targeting antibiotic resistance have shown promise in other infectious diseases, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC.
Malvern, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daigle, Denis Marc — Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC.
- Study coordinator: Daigle, Denis Marc
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.