# A Novel Mechanism of Action Natural Product for Treatment of Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea

> **NIH NIH R43** · CFD RESEARCH CORPORATION · 2024 · $291,697

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract:
This project seeks to develop a new class of antibiotics against Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). NG is considered
to be of the highest threat level by the CDC due to its propensity to rapidly develop drug resistance. CFD
Research has discovered a novel natural product (NP) with potent NG activity, which we seek to develop here.
Aim 1 will build on our established medicinal chemistry program to diversify and optimize the NP’s scaffold for
improved potency, cytotoxicity and drug-like properties. Aim 2 will test the in vivo efficacy of the best analogues
from Aim 1 in an established mouse model of NG infection. During Phase II, these data will drive further
medicinal chemistry design and synthesis of a lead series. Mechanism of action will be elucidated. Followed by
in vivo toxicity, and pharmacokinetics to produce an optimized lead compound for further preclinical
development as a novel NG antibiotic.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10921601
- **Project number:** 1R43AI174490-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** CFD RESEARCH CORPORATION
- **Principal Investigator:** AJ Singhal
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $291,697
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-04-18 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10921601

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10921601, A Novel Mechanism of Action Natural Product for Treatment of Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea (1R43AI174490-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10921601. Licensed CC0.

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