Rapid at-home-friendly test to detect live STIs and guide treatment to reduce overtreatment
Official title: A Rapid, Point-of-Care Diagnostic to Identify Viable Sexually Transmitted Infections, Reduce Overtreatment, and Prevent Emerging Antibiotic Resistance
Funded at Baebies, INC. · NIH-11415832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, easy-to-use test aims to quickly tell if an STI infection is alive so patients and clinicians can treat accurately and avoid unnecessary antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baebies, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | December 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI188680-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals suspected of having an active bacterial STI, including those in high-risk groups who undergo regular screening.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-viable infections or those not seeking STI testing may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a point-of-care, automated viability PCR test for sexually transmitted infections, designed to be used in settings with minimal training. The test uses Baebies’ digital microfluidic platform to distinguish active infections from non-viable DNA, helping clinicians decide when antibiotics are truly needed. The workflow is intended to be CLIA-waived, enabling rapid results and better antibiotic stewardship. By focusing on viability, the test could reduce overtreatment and slow the spread of resistant STI strains. The work is conducted by BAEBIES, INC. in Durham, aiming to bring a practical diagnostic to patients sooner.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients will receive faster, more accurate treatment decisions, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotics and resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous STIs tests improve management when they identify viable infections; this approach aims to add the viability dimension.
Where this research is happening
-
Baebies, INC.
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ng, Rainer — Baebies, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ng, Rainer
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.