HT942524P0041

Small Technology Transfer Research Program (STTR) Phase I

Development of antibody treatment of MDR ESKAPE Pathogen, P. aeruginosa

Multi-faceted mAb Development Program for Multi-Drug Resistant Wound Infections

In this Phase I program, Fabrico Technology and Professor Jennifer Maynard, the Z. D. Bonner Professorship of Chemical Engineering, of the University of Texas at Austin, propose to develop state-of-the-art infrastructural system, methods and protocols to identify antigens highly expressed during infections, for use in generating nanobodies targeting these unique epitopes. When expressed with human Fc domains that efficiently recruit complement and phagocytosis for bacterial killing, these highly stable nanobodies can multimerize to simultaneously target several antigens. Moreover, nanobody high stability is compatible with battlefield conditions. Overall, this novel approach will increase the success rate of generating high affinity, safe, and effective nanobodies against ESKAPE pathogens and infections. The Phase I and II programs will focus on the identification of a novel therapeutic monoclonal nanobody to prevent and treat P. aeruginosa infections. From this baseline program, the Fabrico Technology and Maynard Lab intends to extend these techniques and methods to address MDR ESKAPE pathogens and infection treatments.

The goal of phase I is to establish the technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of proposed R&D efforts and determine the quality of performance of the small business awardee organization. STTRs are completed in conjunction with a research institution.

The University of Texas at Austin

DHA23C-001

H23C-001-0029

23.C

Sidhartha Chaudhury