Precision dosing for severe pneumonia: optimizing beta-lactam antibiotics
Official title: Systems-based pharmacologic modelling to elucidate beta-lactam clinical pharmacodynamics and define optimal dosing regimens in severe pneumonia
Funded at Midwestern University · NIH-11360601 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to tailor beta-lactam antibiotic dosing for people with hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by resistant bacteria, aiming to improve treatment success and reduce deaths.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Midwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Downers Grove, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $669,238 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI158530-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360601 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by resistant bacteria who require beta-lactam antibiotics and are experiencing altered drug exposure due to critical illness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without severe illness or those receiving antibiotics outside the study's focus may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses existing research infrastructure to build robust pharmacokinetic models in critically ill patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia. It focuses on identifying the best dosing targets for beta-lactam antibiotics to overcome variability caused by severe illness. By leveraging patient samples and data from SCRIPT, the team aims to create precision dosing strategies that ensure adequate drug exposure. The goal is to translate these models into clinically validated dosing guidelines that can be used at the bedside. Overall, the study seeks to reduce treatment failures and improve survival for patients with difficult-to-treat pneumonia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with severe pneumonia could receive antibiotics that work more reliably, potentially lowering death rates and speeding recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in pneumonia and antibiotic PK/PD has shown promise, and this project builds on an established SCRIPT framework to extend those findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Midwestern University
Downers Grove, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rhodes, Nathaniel James — Midwestern University
- Study coordinator: Rhodes, Nathaniel James
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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.