# JHU Center for the Advancement of HIV Neurotherapeutics (JHU CAHN)- Therapeutic Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $425,832

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – THERAPEUTIC CORE
The multiple CNS comorbidities present in HIV-infected individuals necessitate a more holistic approach in
advancing new HIV neurotherapeutics. In line with these challenges, the JHU Center for the Advancement
of HIV Neurotherapeutics (JHU CAHN) will evolve into a comprehensive research center targeting all aspects
of CNS complications associated with PWH. The main objective of the Therapeutic Core is to serve as a
dedicated drug discovery unit and to develop new therapeutics by working closely with other JHU CAHN
cores as well as reaching out to investigators both in and outside the field of NeuroHIV including those
affiliated with other NIMH NeuroHIV centers and the industrial sector. This ambitious goal will be enabled by
a highly experienced drug discovery staff overseeing four key functions established within the Therapeutic
Core, namely, medicinal chemistry, assay development/screening, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics,
and animal pharmacology/toxicology. The collective drug discovery-related resources will be directed toward
investigators involved in NeuroHIV translational research, with a focus on early-stage investigators, under-
represented minorities, and investigators new to HIV. The multidisciplinary structure tailored to drug
discovery research also allows the core to provide a wide range of drug discovery training and educational
opportunities (e.g., internships, fellowships, post-baccalaureate and graduate training, drug discovery and
translational courses). Furthermore, the Therapeutic Core is uniquely positioned to promote awareness of
HIV-related CNS complications among the industry sector by taking advantage of core’s extensive network
built over years through multiple academic-biopharma partnerships. Working closely with the centers’
Biomarker, Clinical, and Developmental cores, the Therapeutic Core is poised to seize this opportunity by
executing the following three Specific Aims: (Objective 1) Establish a drug discovery platform to develop
novel therapeutics for CNS complications in PWH; (Objective 2) Evaluate drugs from Objective 1 for effect
on neurobehavioral phenotypes in murine models of HIV; (Objective 3) Provide drug discovery education
and services to the academic community. Engage with biopharma to investigate novel therapeutics for HIV
comorbidities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10475440
- **Project number:** 2P30MH075673-16
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Barbara Stauch Slusher
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $425,832
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2006-06-16 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10475440

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10475440, JHU Center for the Advancement of HIV Neurotherapeutics (JHU CAHN)- Therapeutic Core (2P30MH075673-16). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10475440. Licensed CC0.

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