Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Wake Forest University Health Sciences received a $502,528 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) for the period June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2028. The project focuses on developing next-generation protein neurotherapeutics to treat botulism poisoning caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs). The research addresses a critical public health gap by targeting the development of an effective antidote to reverse the effects of BoNT intoxication after toxin internalization into neurons—a limitation of the currently available equine-derived heptavalent botulinum antitoxin (HBAT). Given BoNT's classification as a select agent with bioterrorism potential and the existence of multiple BoNT serotypes with varying molecular characteristics, this project aims to advance therapeutic countermeasures against this highly potent biological neurotoxin.

The research initiative tackles the significant scientific challenge of toxin heterogeneity, including at least seven different serotypes and multiple subtypes, and the intracellular localization of the toxic light chain metalloprotease, which complicates antidote design. By developing protein-based neurotherapeutics, this project contributes to NIAID's mission to support investigator-initiated biomedical research aimed at establishing, expanding, and improving research addressing infectious diseases and related areas, with potential to improve clinical outcomes for botulism poisoning victims and strengthen national biodefense capabilities.