New Ways to Treat HIV Infection
Official title: Targeted Degradation of HIV Integrase as a Novel Treatment of Infection
Funded at Xavier University of Louisiana · NIH-11161606 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for new ways to treat HIV infection, especially for people whose current medications are no longer working well.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Xavier University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $180,263 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI185846-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11161606 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have HIV infection, particularly those experiencing drug resistance to current antiretroviral therapies, are the target beneficiaries of this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HIV infection or those whose current HIV treatments are fully effective may not directly benefit from this specific new drug development.
What this research studies
HIV infection is now a treatable condition, but some people are developing resistance to existing medications. This project aims to create a new type of medicine called PROTACs, which work differently than current drugs. Instead of just blocking the virus, PROTACs are designed to destroy specific viral proteins, like HIV integrase, that the virus needs to survive. This new approach could offer a powerful way to overcome drug resistance and provide more effective treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new medications that are effective against drug-resistant HIV, offering hope for patients who currently have limited treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: While PROTAC technology is a newer approach in drug development, similar strategies for degrading proteins have shown promise in other disease areas, making this a novel application for HIV.
Where this research is happening
-
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Guangdi — Xavier University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Wang, Guangdi
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.