Topical two-target antibody to prevent gonorrhea
Official title: Bispecific antibody for topical administration to prevent gonorrhea
Funded at Planet Biotechnology, INC. · NIH-11146691 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A gel with a two-target antibody designed to block gonorrhea bacteria when applied to genital areas for people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Planet Biotechnology, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hayward, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $299,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R43AI186979-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146691 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who are sexually active and at elevated risk of gonorrhea exposure would be the most likely candidates for preventive use or future clinical testing.
✕Less likely to help
Those who already have an active gonorrhea infection or who are allergic to antibody products would not be expected to benefit from this preventive approach.
What this research studies
If I were involved, I'd be told this is a topical gel that carries a two-target antibody meant to stick to gonorrhea bacteria and block their defenses. Lab tests and mouse vaginal models of an earlier antibody showed lower bacterial levels, and the team plans to expand coverage to strains that can spread through the bloodstream. The project focuses on producing a bispecific antibody that binds key bacterial proteins and a factor the bacteria use to avoid immune killing, then testing that product for safety and activity in the lab and animals. If approved for people later, the gel would be applied to genital tissues to try to prevent infection at the site of exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce new gonorrhea infections and help protect against antibiotic‑resistant strains, lowering the risk of complications especially for women.
How similar studies have gone: Related lab work and mouse studies with a similar antibody format showed bactericidal activity and reduced colonization, but using a topical bispecific antibody for prevention in humans is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Planet Biotechnology, INC.
Hayward, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wycoff, Keith — Planet Biotechnology, INC.
- Study coordinator: Wycoff, Keith
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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.