Oxadiazole inhibitors of bacterial nonstop ribosome rescue for treating tick-borne diseases lyme and tularemia in military personnel, veterans and civilians

Microbiotix, Inc. received a $1,023,646 Project Grant from the Defense Health Agency (DHA) under the Military Medical Research and Development program (CFDA 12.420) to develop oxadiazole inhibitors targeting bacterial nonstop ribosome rescue mechanisms. The award, effective August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2027, supports research and development of novel pharmaceutical compounds designed to treat tick-borne diseases, specifically Lyme disease and tularemia in military personnel, veterans, and civilian populations. The research will be conducted at Microbiotix's facility in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Under this project grant, Microbiotix will deliver research and development services focused on identifying and optimizing small molecule therapeutic candidates that inhibit bacterial rescue pathways. This work represents the company's continued specialization in developing infectious disease treatments through hypothesis-driven research aligned with DHA priorities. The two-year performance period allows for lead identification, optimization, and progression toward preclinical evaluation of compounds that could address significant gaps in current tick-borne disease therapeutics for the military health system and broader public health objectives.