Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco a Project Grant totaling $491,985 under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) for the period June 4, 2026, through May 31, 2028. This award supports the development of a fully recombinant, heptavalent botulinum antitoxin utilizing engineered dual variable domain immunoglobulin G1 (DVD-IGG1) monoclonal antibody combinations. The research focuses on creating a potent therapeutic countermeasure against botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes A through G that provides broad-spectrum neutralization in a compact formulation suitable for rapid mass administration and ambient temperature stability, intended to replace equine botulinum antitoxin (BAT).

The R61 phase aims include optimization and characterization of three DVD-IGG1 biepitopic antibodies designed to reduce the number of antibody molecules required for complete heptavalent coverage from 16 to 8 while maintaining neutralization potency comparable to conventional monoclonal antibody combinations. The antitoxin formulation, containing less than 30 milligrams of total protein in under 1 milliliter volume, builds upon safety data from Phase I and Phase II clinical trials with monoclonal antibodies targeting serotypes A, B, C, D, and E. This research advances therapeutic options for treating botulism and addresses the public health need for a renewable, safe, and reproducible countermeasure suitable for stockpiling and emergency deployment.