# Developing a Potent Broad-Spectrum Prophylactic for Tickborne Disease

> **NIH NIH R41** · PLANET BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC. · 2024 · $300,000

## Abstract

The product we are developing, Fc3/SCR(19-20), is a protein of our own design that will be administered
as a yearly shot to prevent two tick-borne diseases, Lyme Disease (LD) and Relapsing Fever (RF). Unlike
vaccines, it does not depend on stimulating the immune system, and thus should be equally effective in both
healthy and immunocompromised recipients. We have shown that Fc3/SCR(19-20), injected into mice, prior to
exposure to infected ticks, reduces the transmission of LD bacteria to the treated mice. For yearly Fc3/SCR(19-
20) injections to become a practical strategy for preventing tick-borne diseases in people, we need to improve
the bioavailability, safety and longevity of the protein in the body, so that it provides effective season-long
protection at a lower dose.
 To achieve these three objectives, this project brings together two research groups, each with their own
unique qualifications. Under the direction of the PI, Planet Biotechnology (PBI), using plants grown in an indoor
facility, will produce multiple variants of Fc3/SCR(19-20), with the goal of enhancing bioavailability, safety and
longevity of protection. PBI has pioneered methods for producing, purifying and improving the function of proteins
like Fc3/SCR(19-20) using a plant transient expression system, including the first plant-produced antibody tested
in clinical trials. A research group at the New York State Department of Health, led by Dr Yi-Pin Lin, will test the
relative ability of these new Fc3/SCR(19-20) variants to kill LD and RF bacteria in vitro and to block transmission
of LD bacteria into mice from infected ticks. They will also evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
of Fc3/SCR(19-20) in mice, in order to determine the duration of protection.
 Ultimately, we aim to develop Fc3/SCR(19-20) as an FDA-approved drug, for annual administration as an
injection, to provide protection against LD and RF through a full tick season. Untreated, these diseases can have
significant long-term health consequences. We expect that widespread adoption of our preventive strategy would
significantly improve the quality of life for anyone living or working in high LD or RF risk areas. Although our focus
now is on prevention, it is possible that Fc3/SCR(19-20) could be effective as a treatment for LD as well.
 To achieve FDA marketing approval, Fc3/SCR(19-20) will need to go through all of the pre-clinical and
clinical testing typical of a biotechnology-derived new drug. Assuming successful completion of all the aims of the
proposed project, follow-on studies will determine the minimally effective dose in rhesus monkeys (to predict the
effective dose in humans), evaluate the long-term safety of Fc3/SCR(19-20) in rats and monkeys, and undergo
rigorous clinical testing. We project that Fc3/SCR(19-20) could be commercially available in 5-6 years.
 Fc3/SCR(19-20) targets (and blocks) a mechanism that LD and RF bacteria normally use to evade the
host immune response, so develo...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10925734
- **Project number:** 1R41AI179571-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** PLANET BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** KEITH WYCOFF
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $300,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-17 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10925734

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10925734, Developing a Potent Broad-Spectrum Prophylactic for Tickborne Disease (1R41AI179571-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10925734. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*