Shorter TB treatment using four drugs for drug-susceptible TB
Official title: PRESCIENT: A phase IIc, open-label, randomized controlled trial of ultra-short course bedaquiline, clofazimine, pyrazinamide and delamanid versus standard therapy for drug-susceptible tuberculosis
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11563786 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A 12-week, AI-informed drug regimen (bedaquiline, clofazimine, pyrazinamide, delamanid) is being tested against standard therapy for drug-susceptible TB to see if it works faster and safely across adults in Haiti and South Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2026 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $331,037 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AI170426-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11563786 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with smear-positive drug-susceptible TB, including those with HIV, willing to participate at participating sites in Haiti or South Africa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with drug-resistant TB, or those unable to take the study drugs, may not benefit from this regimen.
What this research studies
This trial tests a 12-week treatment with four drugs that are chosen based on an AI-guided approach to find an effective combination quickly. It compares BCZD to the standard 26-week therapy in adults with smear-positive TB, including people living with HIV. The study uses a randomized design at established research sites, with outcomes measured through time to culture conversion and extended follow-up up to 86 weeks. If the BCZD regimen proves superior early on, it could offer a shorter, potentially better-tolerated option for TB that could benefit patients by shortening treatment burden and reducing drug interactions. The research leverages AI to rapidly identify potent drug-dose combinations while monitoring safety and relapse rates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience a shorter, safer treatment course for TB with fewer drug interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous AI-guided drug development and short-course regimens have shown promising preclinical results and are being tested in this clinical trial with 156 participants.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koenig, Serena Patricia — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Koenig, Serena Patricia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Shorter, rifamycin-free TB treatment using BCZD for drug-susceptible TB
A 12-week, AI-informed drug combination (bedaquiline, clofazimine, pyrazinamide, and delamanid) is being tested against the standard 26-week therapy for adults with drug-susceptible TB to see if it can cure faster with fewer side effects.
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Personalized linezolid dosing for rifampin-resistant tuberculosis
This work compares standard linezolid dosing to dosing adjusted using blood tests to help adults with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis, including people living with HIV, get effective treatment while reducing harmful side effects.
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Ultra-short, rifamycin-free treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis
This compares a four-drug, rifamycin-free, very short TB treatment to the usual longer therapy for adults with drug-susceptible tuberculosis, including people taking HIV medicines.
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Ultra-short rifamycin-free TB treatment using bedaquiline, clofazimine, pyrazinamide and delamanid
This trial sees if a four-drug, rifamycin-free regimen can cure drug-susceptible tuberculosis much faster than standard therapy for adults, including people with HIV.
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Ultra-short bedaquiline-based regimen for drug-susceptible TB
A 12-week, AI-guided drug combination trial tests a shorter, rifamycin-free treatment for adults with drug-susceptible TB, aiming to cure faster with fewer drug interactions.
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Using blood tests to personalize linezolid dosing for rifampin-resistant TB
This project tests whether checking linezolid blood levels and adjusting doses helps adults with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis, including people with HIV, get safer and more effective treatment.
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.