NIAID-funded researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and their collaborators at the National Cancer Institute discovered a potential antibody treatment for Nipah and Hendra virus. The researchers developed a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) known as m102.4 that targets the G glycoprotein of both viruses and found that the mAb effectively protected ferrets after exposure to Nipah or Hendra virus. The mAb was also effective in protecting nonhuman primates after exposure.

NIAID, in coordination with the HHS Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), supported preclinical and clinical research to develop several antibody-based therapeutics as anthrax antitoxins. One such product is Anthim, a human monoclonal antibody produced by Elusys Therapeutics, Inc.

NIAID recognized the need for a safer smallpox vaccine than Dryvax and ACAM2000 that could be used to protect patients with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV or cancer. A second-generation vaccine using Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA)-a highly weakened vaccinia virus that does not replicate well in humans is being developed by Bavarian Nordic.

Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, but many bacteria are developing resistance to treatment. NIAID is supporting the development of novel tetracyclines that are not subject to existing tetracycline resistance mechanisms and therefore represent important new tools for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections.

NIAID supports a number of diagnostics to combat antibiotic resistance, including multiplex platforms such as the FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel by BioFire Diagnostics LLC, an affiliate of Biomérieux.

NIAID provided support to Zavante Therapeutics, Inc. (now Nabriva Therapeutics) for the clinical development of the intravenous (IV) form of the antibiotic fosfomycin (ZTI-01). Fosfomycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic active against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including multi-drug resistant strains.

NIAID-funded researchers have developed a new rapid diagnostic for the tropical disease melioidosis, a disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis affects approximately 165,000 people worldwide, mainly in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, and causes 89,000 deaths annually.

Genome sequencing can help you learn important information about your DNA—including whether your genes are contributing to health conditions in you or your family. The Centralized Sequencing Program provides genome sequencing services to patients who are enrolled in studies through the NIH intramural research program.

The NIAID Centralized Sequencing Program serves as an intramural clinical genomics resource, pursuing the bold vision of making genomics a standard part of clinical care at NIAID, considering not just immune genes, but all genes for all participants, while simultaneously building a valuable data resource.