Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Florida Division of Sponsored Research received $861,088 in federal funding awarded June 24, 2026, through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855). The project, extending through May 31, 2031, supports research into a novel monoclonal antibody (ALT-100) targeting enampt (extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase) to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in patients with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP). The research will employ preclinical models using C57BL/6J mice and genetically-engineered variants to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of the ALT-100 monoclonal antibody in mitigating bacterial superinfection, preserving lung function, and preventing the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens in critically ill patients.

The project addresses a critical public health threat by investigating how targeting the enampt/Toll-like receptor-4 signaling cascade can interrupt inflammatory amplification and bacterial tissue persistence—key drivers of AMR development. Preliminary efficacy data from Phase 2A clinical trials of ALT-100 in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) support this therapeutic approach. Three specific aims will systematically evaluate ALT-100's potential to reduce AMR emergence in preclinical pneumonia models caused by clinically challenging gram-negative pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, directly supporting NIAID's mission to advance biomedical research addressing infectious disease threats.