About This Project

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a consistently growing threat to global health. We have developed Oxy291, a new, orally available antibiotic that targets both active and dormant (persistent) TB bacteria. This project will test Oxy291 in mice to determine if it can safely and effectively reduce TB infection, paving the way for developing faster, more effective treatments.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Every year, TB takes over a million lives, more than any other infectious disease. For countless families, a TB diagnosis means fear, isolation, and months to years of toxic treatments with no guarantee of a cure. As drug-resistant strains spread, the world faces a mounting crisis. Existing therapies are lengthy, harsh, and often fail to clear dormant, “persister” bacteria, leading to relapse and ongoing transmission. New hope is urgently needed. Oxy291 is a novel antibiotic we have been developing and improving over the last two years. Oxy291 selectively targets Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause TB, including drug-resistant and dormant forms. Early lab work shows Oxy291 is potent, safe for human cells, and accumulates in the lungs where TB infection is most severe. However, its effectiveness in infected living animals has not been tested. This project aims to fill that gap by evaluating Oxy291 in a mouse model of TB, a critical step before advancing to human studies.

What is the significance of this project?

Our drug candidate, Oxy291, represents newfound hope in the battle against this debilitating and fatal disease. Oxy291 is a new class of antibiotic with a unique mechanism of action, designed to overcome resistance and target hard-to-kill bacteria. If successful, this work could lay the foundation for shorter, safer, and more effective TB therapies with the ultimate goals of reducing the global burden of disease, saving lives, and slowing the spread of resistant infections. By supporting this project, you are not just advancing science, you are giving hope to millions who are desperately in need of a better solution.

What are the goals of the project?

Our goal is to test the ability of Oxy291 to reduce TB infection in vivo. C57BL/6 mice will be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), after 21 days to establish infection, each group (5 mice/group) will begin treatment with 1) 50 mg/kg Oxy291, 2) 200 mg/kg Oxy291, 3) vehicle (negative control), and 4) 10mg/kg INH (positive control) by once daily oral gavage. At two timepoints, after 30 and 60 days of treatment, the number of Mtb bacteria in the lung will be enumerated by CFU assay. Mice will be monitored and weighed daily. If Oxy291 shows strong efficacy and is well-tolerated, we will have the critical proof needed to move forward with further development and attracting additional support. All results will be shared openly with the scientific community and our supporters, ensuring your contribution advances the frontier of knowledge and empowers fellow scientists worldwide.