# Eliminating the latent reservoir by targeted in vivo delivery of HIV-specific CARs

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $718,306

## Abstract

Project Summary
For HIV cure approaches to be widely implemented, they will need to be safe, affordable and
highly effective. The development strategies that allow therapeutic agents to be infused into
people living with HIV (PLWH) rather than being manufactured ex vivo may represent an
important step to reaching this goal. In this application, the investigators merged their expertise
in mRNA lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) and HIV CAR technology to propose to develop
injectable agents that will target and remove the latent reservoir. A key advantage of this
approach is that we can target tissues and cells such as the reproductive track or T follicular
cells where CTLs are either excluded or have diminished activity. In Aim 1, we will optimize the
composition of these mRNA-LNPs performing in vitro studies. Once lead compounds are
identified, we will test these in humanized mouse for in vivo activity. Finally, using a state of the
art non-human primate model we will test the ability of mRNA-LNP complexes to reduce the
viral reservoir.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10802390
- **Project number:** 5R01AI167061-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Hamideh Parhiz
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $718,306
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-03-06 → 2028-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10802390

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10802390, Eliminating the latent reservoir by targeted in vivo delivery of HIV-specific CARs (5R01AI167061-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10802390. Licensed CC0.

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