Project Grant R21AI199284

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases awarded the University of California, San Diego $240,000 on September 1, 2026, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to develop new drug leads targeting F1F0 ATP synthase inhibitors for treatment of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri.

The research identified two pure compounds derived from marine microbial metabolites that exhibit nanomolar potency against multiple N. fowleri strains, demonstrate synergistic activity with amphotericin B, and display reduced toxicity to mammalian cells compared to existing treatments. The compounds act rapidly and extended survival in infected mice models. This work addresses a critical therapeutic gap: despite a mortality rate exceeding 97 percent in primary amoebic meningoencephalitis cases, pharmaceutical companies have not pursued new drug discovery due to disease rarity, leaving amphotericin B and miltefosine as the only available options despite their severe side effects and limited efficacy.

The award funds research through August 31, 2028, with performance at UC San Diego's La Jolla campus. The project grant classification reflects the exploratory nature of research into novel antimicrobial agents for a rare but devastating infectious disease with urgent unmet therapeutic needs.