# VesiVax Vaccine Formulation Against Neisseria gonorrhoeae

> **NIH NIH R43** · MOLECULAR EXPRESS, INC. · 2023 · $299,779

## Abstract

Project Summary
 The principal goal of this project is to develop a VesiVax®-based vaccine against Neisseria
gonorrhoeae (Ng). The studies proposed in this SBIR Phase I application will be focused on co-formulating an
newly identified surface-displayed outer membrane Ng protein, MtrE, with various immunostimulatory adjuvant
molecules (IAMs) in the VesiVax® liposomal platform. We will characterize the immunogenicity of these
VesiVax®-MtrE-IAM formulations in mice, and select for the best candidates to be further evaluated in a novel
mouse upper reproductive tract Ng infection model. These studies will elucidate the immunological profile in a
vaccine that will correlate with protective immunity against Ng.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10576383
- **Project number:** 5R43AI167312-02
- **Recipient organization:** MOLECULAR EXPRESS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Gary Fujii
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $299,779
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-02-18 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10576383

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10576383, VesiVax Vaccine Formulation Against Neisseria gonorrhoeae (5R43AI167312-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10576383. Licensed CC0.

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