NIAID funds three coordinated phage therapy research centers

NIAID awarded three CAPT-CEP centers to build preclinical tools, assays and models for phage therapy against ESKAPE pathogens. The FY 2026 program provides $6 million across three awards, each up to $1.2 million in annual direct costs for up to five years. Pitt researchers will develop standardized testing methods and laboratory procedures; local wastewater phages have already been used to treat about two dozen UPMC patients.