Therapeutic potential of a bacteriophage enzyme against Mycobacterium abscessus infections
Official title: Therapeutic potential of mycobacteriophage LysB against Mycobacterium abscessus infections
Funded at Wadsworth Center · NIH-11375989 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new therapy using a phage-derived enzyme (LysB) is being tested to help treat tough Mab lung infections in people who have other health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wadsworth Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Menands, United States) |
| Project start | July 18, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $677,062 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI187284-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375989 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Mycobacterium abscessus infections who have underlying health conditions and limited response to standard therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Mab infection or those not eligible for inhaled biologic therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
Mab infections are hard to cure with current antibiotics, and many patients do not achieve lasting clearance. This grant studies a lysin enzyme from a bacteriophage (LysB) that can target Mab bacteria, including diverse strains. The approach builds on prior animal studies showing substantial reductions in bacterial load when Mab-infected mice receive aerosolized LysB. If successful, this therapy could become a complementary option alongside standard antibiotics to speed up clearance and potentially reduce treatment duration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with Mab infections could have faster, more reliable clearance of bacteria when used with existing antibiotics.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data in mice showed a 20-fold reduction in bacterial burden with LysB treatment, supporting potential effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
-
Wadsworth Center
Menands, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ojha, Anil Kumar — Wadsworth Center
- Study coordinator: Ojha, Anil Kumar
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.