Orally delivered compounds to treat cryptosporidiosis in vulnerable patients
Official title: Optimization of orally efficacious pyrazolopyrimidines for treating cryptosporidiosis
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11447750 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new oral drug candidate is being developed to treat cryptosporidiosis, especially in children and people with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $777,365 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI195718-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447750 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include infants and individuals with AIDS or other forms of immunosuppression who suffer from cryptosporidiosis and have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or patients without cryptosporidiosis are not the primary beneficiaries of this drug development effort.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on creating and testing a series of pyrazolopyrimidine benzoxaborole compounds that attack the parasite Cryptosporidium. Researchers will evaluate how these drugs work in cell and animal models to ensure they are potent against the parasite and safe for humans. The goal is to advance a drug with strong activity against Cryptosporidium species, fast action, and minimal effects on the patient’s own cells. The work builds on previous lead compounds and aims to identify an enantiomer with superior effectiveness for future clinical testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a safer, more effective oral treatment for cryptosporidiosis, improving outcomes for affected infants and immunocompromised individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous lead compounds showed potent activity and rapid parasite clearance in models, supporting potential success with the new PP-BB series.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huston, Christopher D — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Huston, Christopher D
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.