The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a $300,000 Project Grant under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to Planet Biotechnology Incorporated, a for-profit biotechnology company. The funding supports the development of Factor H-Fc fusion proteins as a potential pre-exposure prophylactic treatment for infections caused by Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia, the etiologic agents of dangerous diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Planet Biotechnology is engineering and evaluating these fusion proteins, which are designed to enhance complement-mediated killing of the intracellular Rickettsia bacteria. The research aims to produce a lead compound that demonstrates the desired antimicrobial properties, laying the groundwork for further development of this immunotherapeutic approach as a treatment or post-tick bite prophylactic for rickettsial diseases in humans. The project period runs from July 2024 to June 2026.
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