Antisense Oligonucleotides that Suppress SARS-CoV-2 Replication
Antisense oligonucleotides that suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication by targeting the 5’ untranslated region of SARS-CoV-2
Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly impacted global human health and is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This novel virus was first identified in China in 2019. SARS-CoV-2 is a highly pathogenic virus that evades anti-viral immunity by interfering with host protein synthesis, mRNA stability, and protein trafficking. Since its initial discovery, several viral variants of concern, including Delta and Omicron sub-variants, have been identified and continue to strain healthcare systems at large. While vaccines for the virus do exist, with the first being approved in August 2021 in the US, there is still the need for therapies to combat viral infections in the unvaccinated population, due to breakthrough infections, and in immune-compromised individuals. Also, the ongoing transmission of new viral variants and the uncertainty about the durability of protective immunity further support continued development of therapies to combat COVID-19.
Further Details:
- Vora, M et al. Targeting Stem-loop 1 of the SARS-CoV-2 5’UTR to suppress viral translation and Nsp1 evasion. Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, February, 11, 2022.
Benefits
- Potential to inhibit all known variants of concern
- Potential to prevent SARS-CoV-2 replication rather than just treating the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2
- Neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 replication by novel mechanism
Applications
- Potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection and all known variants of concern
- Potential combination product with other SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
Patents
- US Provisional Patent Application Number 63/290,720, Filed on December 17, 2021.
IP Status
- Provisional patent
- Patent application submitted
