Using inhalable powders of viruses to treat tuberculosis
Official title: Inhalable dry powders of mycobacteriophages for tuberculosis therapy
Funded at Via Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11006022 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to treat tuberculosis (TB) using inhalable powders made from special viruses that can target and kill the TB bacteria directly in the lungs, aiming to make treatment easier and more effective than traditional antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Via Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $300,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R41AI186644-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006022 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis, particularly those with drug-resistant strains.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have tuberculosis or those with other unrelated respiratory conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of inhalable dry powders containing mycobacteriophages, which are viruses that specifically target and kill the bacteria causing tuberculosis (TB). The approach aims to deliver these phages directly to the lungs, where they can effectively eliminate Mycobacterium tuberculosis while minimizing damage to beneficial bacteria. By utilizing a novel thin-film freeze-drying technology, the researchers hope to create a stable and effective treatment that reduces the frequency and duration of therapy compared to traditional antibiotics, which often lead to resistance and non-compliance among patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and patient-friendly treatment option for tuberculosis, potentially reducing the burden of antibiotic resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using phage therapy for bacterial infections, indicating potential success for this novel approach in treating tuberculosis.
Where this research is happening
-
Via Therapeutics, LLC
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Warnken, Zachary N — Via Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Warnken, Zachary N
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Coronary disease and immune activation in people with HIV and tuberculosis coinfection
This research looks at how having HIV and latent tuberculosis together might raise the risk of heart disease, and what immune changes are involved.
-
Pulmonary rehabilitation to reduce breathing problems after tuberculosis
A program of guided exercise and breathing training to help adults who have recovered from TB breathe better and feel healthier.
-
Pulmonary rehab to reduce breathing troubles after TB
A program of pulmonary rehabilitation is being studied to help adults who have completed TB treatment avoid ongoing lung problems and improve daily breathing.
-
Air pollution and tuberculosis spread in Kampala, Uganda
This project looks at whether dirty air from PM2.5 particles makes tuberculosis more likely to spread within urban slum households in Kampala, Uganda.
-
Air pollution and TB spread in Ugandan urban slums
This project explores whether exposure to air pollution makes tuberculosis more likely to spread within households in a crowded Ugandan slum.
-
Air pollution and TB transmission in Kampala’s urban slums
This project looks at whether air pollution from PM2.5 makes tuberculosis spread more easily from infected people to their neighbors in urban slums of Kampala, Uganda.
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.