Small Molecule Glycoside Inhibitors to Fight Pseudomonas Infections
Official title: Small Molecule Glycoside Inhibitors of LecB for the Treatment of Pseudomonas Infections
Funded at Fimbrion Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-11394617 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small molecule drug candidate is being developed to block a key bacterial target and help treat infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including in people with lung conditions like CF or COPD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fimbrion Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $300,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R43AI192169-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394617 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults with Pseudomonas infections, especially those with antibiotic-resistant infections or underlying lung disease such as cystic fibrosis or COPD, who may benefit from new therapeutic options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Pseudomonas infections or those whose infections are not driven by LecB-mediated adhesion may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create and test sugar-like compounds that stick to LecB, a protein that helps Pseudomonas bacteria stick to surfaces and form biofilms. The research will explore how these inhibitors bind to LecB and how they affect bacterial survival and biofilm formation, with a focus on antibiotic-resistant strains. By combining biochemical assays and animal model studies, the work hopes to reveal whether these compounds can work alongside existing antibiotics to improve treatment outcomes. The grant supports early-stage development and safety profiling to move promising candidates toward clinical testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with Pseudomonas infections could have new treatment options that are effective against resistant strains and help clear biofilms, potentially reducing hospital stays and complications.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research on anti-biofilm and anti-adhesion strategies has shown promise, but LecB-specific inhibitors represent a newer approach with variable translational success thus far.
Where this research is happening
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Fimbrion Therapeutics, INC.
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hibbing, Michael Einer — Fimbrion Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Hibbing, Michael Einer
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.