Waixenicin A-based therapy for newborn brain injury
Official title: Development of the waixenicin A pharmacophore as a therapeutic intervention for neonatal hypoxic brain injury
Funded at Baylor University · NIH-11626463 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new drug-target approach aims to protect babies’ brains after oxygen deprivation at birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waco, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $70,634 |
| NIH project number | 3R33NS124922-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11626463 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Newborns diagnosed with or at risk of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, within the perinatal period.
✕Less likely to help
Babies without hypoxic-ischemic injury or those outside the treatment window may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at using waixenicin A to block a protein (TRPM7) that contributes to brain injury after oxygen loss in newborns. It focuses on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, a condition that can cause death or long-term disability. The work will test how well WaixA can be developed into a safe, targeted therapy suitable for the narrow treatment window after birth. The study builds on existing knowledge of hyperthermia therapy but seeks a drug option that could extend protections beyond current care. If successful, it could lead to new treatments that reduce disability and improve outcomes for affected infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could reduce brain injury and long-term disability in newborns who suffer oxygen deprivation at birth.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that targeting TRPM7 may influence ischemic brain injury; this approach is a promising but still early-stage strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor University
Waco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Romo, Daniel — Baylor University
- Study coordinator: Romo, Daniel
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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.