Content provided by Drs. Anum Abbas and Carlos Gomez
Under the leadership of Dr. Anum Abbas and Dr. Carlos A. Gomez, the UNMC ID Transplant Infectious Diseases Research Group had an exceptionally productive year, bringing multiple industry-sponsored, NIH-funded, and investigator-initiated studies to UNMC. These efforts expand clinical trial access for immunocompromised patients, strengthen our division’s research mission, and directly contribute to institutional research revenue and academic visibility.
Major Clinical Trials/ Transplant ID /UNMC 2025
High-Enrollment / High-Impact Studies
NIH – COLT Trial (CTOT-44)
- CMV Vaccine in Orthotopic Liver Transplant Candidates (COLT) – Pivotal NIH-funded randomized trial evaluating CMV vaccination in liver transplant candidates.
- PI: Sias Scherger | Coordinator: Mary Petersen. → UNMC ranks among the top enrolling sites nationally, and Dr. Scherger was invited to present the UNMC recruitment experience at the 2025 Investigator Meeting—an exceptional recognition for an early-career investigator and a reflection of the strength of our TID research infrastructure.
SymBio Pharmaceuticals – Brincidofovir Program (Adenovirus & CMV)
- BCV-PA01 (Phase IIa) – Multiple ascending-dose study of IV brincidofovir for adenovirus and CMV infection.
- PI: Gomez, Sub-I: Scherger, Abbas | Coordinator: Matthew Palmer.
AiCuris – Pritelivir Program
- AIC316-03-II-01 (PRIOH-1) – Randomized trial of pritelivir vs foscarnet for acyclovir-resistant HSV.
- PI: Abbas, Sub-Is: Gomez, Zimmer | Coordinator: Grace Rodriguez -> (UNMC, Top 5 recruitment site worldwide)
GSK RSV – Adjuvanted RSVPreF3 Vaccine Program
- RSV OA-ADJ-031 (Phase 2b Extension) – Safety and revaccination durability in adult lung & kidney transplant recipients.
- PI: Abbas | Coordinator: Caitlin Harrison
→ Strong enrollment positioning UNMC as a national leader in RSV vaccine studies in SOT.
- PI: Abbas | Coordinator: Caitlin Harrison
International RSV Consortium (ESCMID ESGREV) – MD Anderson / UNMC
- RSV Outcomes (2024-0389) – Multicenter registry characterizing RSV in immunocompromised adults.
- Local Leads: Abbas, Gomez | Coordinator: Matthew Palmer. → Integrates UNMC into a premier international respiratory virus research group.
Additional 2025 Studies Activated at UNMC
Immunocompromised Host Observational & Etiologic Studies
- IC-SCARI (Strive, NIH network) – Global evaluation of severe acute respiratory infections in immunocompromised adults.
- PI: Gomez, Abbas | Coordinator: Mary Petersen
- Karius mGENeSIS Registry – Prospective mNGS registry in solid organ transplant recipients.
- Local Co-PI: Gomez, Abbas (Baylor, sponsor lead site)
- Karius IMPACT – Diagnostic mNGS pathway for cardiovascular infections.
- Co-PI: Gomez, Abbas. (Baylor, sponsor lead site)
Advanced Diagnostic Trials in Transplant & Oncology ID
- Karius OPTIMUM (KAR-0025) – Randomized basket trial evaluating clinical utility of plasma mcfDNA sequencing in Oncology ID patients.
- PI: Gomez | Sub-Investigators: Abbas, Scherger, Zimmer, APPs: Knut, Tijerina, Schober| Coordinator: Caitlin Harrison-> first in class diagnostic study in ONC-ID outpatient setting.
Vaccine Trials
- Pfizer C. difficile Vaccine (C4771002) – Phase III placebo-controlled RCT in adults ≥65.
- PI: Gomez | Sub-Investigators: Brett Major, Abbas. Coordinator: Neja Menyweather
→ High-visibility national vaccine program added to the TID/ID portfolio.
- PI: Gomez | Sub-Investigators: Brett Major, Abbas. Coordinator: Neja Menyweather
We are very proud of the Transplant ID Research Group for a very active year with multiple new industry-sponsored, NIH-funded, and international studies launched at UNMC, including several high-enrolling trials and upcoming pivotal projects. These efforts involve a large portion of our research team and reflect our mission to expand clinical trial access and improve care for immunocompromised patients. Our coordinators and collaborating teams put in tremendous work, and we want to recognize these efforts and thank our team for their partnership in our shared goal.