# Carbon Nanotube Enabled Delivery of mRNA for an HIV Vaccine Candidate

> **NIH NIH R44** · LUNA LABS USA, LLC · 2024 · $903,639

## Abstract

Project Summary
Significant research has gone into the development of a safe and effective vaccine for HIV-1.
Although many strategies have been attempted; none has been successfully established. Even a
partially effective vaccine could decrease the number of people who are infected with HIV, further
reducing the number of people who can pass the virus on to others. By substantially reducing the
number of new infections, we could eventually stop the pandemic. To date, the elicitation of
broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) has proven extremely difficult to achieve which brought
a lot of effort on the novel trimer design and modification. At the same time, it was found that
induced HIV- specific CD8+ T cell responses could limit both the transmission and establishment
of persistent viral reservoirs. All the evidence suggest that no individual factor will determine the
ultimate success of a bNAb-inducing HIV-1 vaccine, which will likely require a combination of
efficient precursor B cell priming, optimization of Env design and presentation, sustained
heterologous Env boosting, a T cell-based strategy, and newly developed delivery systems or
adjuvants. Adjuvants or delivery systems can stimulate different arms of the immune system and
are vital components of subunit vaccines, especially in the case of poorly immunogenic envelope
glycoprotein. Deliver systems can also be designed to address instability of mRNA-based
vaccines. The goal of this program is therefore to overcome challenges with HIV-1 vaccination
and deliver a safe and effective vaccine using a biocompatible, biodegradable, easily
manufactured short carbon nanotube (CNTVac) platform. Env-trimer and mRNA encoding
peptide will be antigens for delivery and will target generation of both humoral and cellular
responses. A humanized mouse model and a non-human primate model will be used for
immunogenicity and efficacy studies. As the novel non-viral gene transfer vector for HIV-1 vaccine
delivery, we will establish methodology for potential GMP production and generate safety profiles
under FDA requirements.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10951006
- **Project number:** 4R44MH133249-03
- **Recipient organization:** LUNA LABS USA, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Yang Xu
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $903,639
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2022-09-07 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10951006

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10951006, Carbon Nanotube Enabled Delivery of mRNA for an HIV Vaccine Candidate (4R44MH133249-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10951006. Licensed CC0.

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