Tiny dissolving skin patch that delivers protective antibodies to breastfed babies
Advancing Multi-bNAbs Microneedle Patch Technology For HIV-1 Prevention in Breastfeeding Infants.
A painless microneedle patch that delivers HIV-blocking antibodies to help protect infants who are breastfed by mothers with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Old Dominion University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norfolk, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179478 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing a small, dissolvable microneedle patch that releases broadly neutralizing antibodies through a baby’s skin to block HIV exposure during breastfeeding. The team is working to stabilize the antibodies so they do not need refrigeration and can be stored and used in low-resource settings. Lab and safety tests will optimize dosing, patch design, and how long protection lasts, with the goal of moving toward testing in people. The patch is meant to be easy to give, reduce injections, and improve protection when mothers are untreated or have difficulty with daily medicines.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The ideal candidates would be newborns and young infants who are being breastfed by mothers living with HIV or whose mothers have unknown or untreated HIV status.
Not a fit: Infants already living with HIV, older children or adults not exposed via breastfeeding, or babies with skin conditions that prevent patch use are unlikely to benefit from this prevention approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a safe, easy-to-use way to prevent HIV in breastfed infants, especially where pills, injections, or cold storage are hard to access.
How similar studies have performed: Broadly neutralizing antibodies have shown protective effects in clinical research and microneedle patches have been promising in early studies, but combining stabilized bnAbs in a patch for breastfed infants is a new approach still under development.
Where this research is happening
Norfolk, United States
- Old Dominion University — Norfolk, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Doncel, Gustavo F. — Old Dominion University
- Study coordinator: Doncel, Gustavo F.
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 below.