NIH has announced a
grant for the Development of Novel Therapeutics for Select Anaerobic Protozoa,
an initiative that encourages the discovery, preclinical development and/or
validation of novel interventions for the treatment of infectious diseases
caused by select anaerobic protozoa (amebiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis and
diseases caused by free-living amoebae).
Early stage translational and/or pre-clinical projects may
include but are not limited to:
- Identification of drug targets and drug candidates, including (where appropriate) drug targets and drug candidates that are effective against the cyst form of a pathogen.
- Studies on the mechanism(s) of action and/or mechanism(s) of resistance that would promote the development of novel interventions.
- Identification of drug candidates with a superior profile to existing therapies (for example, potency, safety, efficacy against resistant strains, parasiticidal activity).
- Studies of novel formulations or drug combinations with a superior profile (as described above) to existing therapies.
- Identification of drug candidates with broad spectrum activity against anaerobic protozoa.
- Identification of mammalian host targets for the development of interventions.
The total project period for an application submitted in
response to this FOA cannot exceed five years. Awards will support
milestone-driven exploratory/feasibility “proof-of-concept” studies (two-year
R21 phase), with possible rapid transition to expanded development (three-year
R33 phase).
Key dates:
- Letter of intent due date: 30 September
- Application due date: 30 October
- Earliest project start date: July 2015
Funds:
- R21:
- 2 year project, direct costs up to USD 275,000 total, and maximum USD 200,000 direct costs in any single year
- R33:
- 3 year project, direct costs up to USD 300,000 total
To read the full RFA, please click here. If you are
interested in applying to this grant, please contact Paul, Tim, or Glad at ORS.
