The Need: Preventing Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection and Disease

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a highly prevalent and dangerous pathogen responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in infants, young children, and immunocompromised individuals. Despite its global impact and the urgent need for effective therapeutics, there are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral drugs available for RSV or related viruses of the Pneumoviridae family. Consequently, there exists an unmet commercial need for a breakthrough technology that can prevent and treat RSV infections and improve public health outcomes.

The Technology: m6A Methylation for Viral Attenuation

Our revolutionary technology utilizes m6A methylation, a specific type of chemical modification, to attenuate negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses of the Pneumoviridae family, including RSV and Metapneumovirus (MPV). By leveraging host cell methyl transferases to positively regulate viral replication, gene expression, and virus production, our technology induces controlled modifications in the virus' genome, antigenome, and mRNAs. The resulting viral mutants exhibit attenuation, reducing their virulence, while retaining immunogenicity, making them potential candidates for viral vaccines.

Commercial Applications:

• Development of attenuated RSV vaccines for infants and young children.
• Therapeutics for preventing and treating respiratory infections caused by RSV and related Pneumoviridae viruses.
• Viral vector technologies for delivering genes and antigens safely.
• Enhanced production of viral vaccines through increased yields of attenuated viruses.
• Advancements in antiviral drug development targeting the m6A modification process.

Benefits/Advantages:

• Addressing the unmet medical need: Provides a promising solution for preventing RSV infections in vulnerable populations, potentially saving millions of lives.
• Enhanced safety: The attenuation process reduces the virulence of the virus while maintaining its immunogenicity, ensuring a safer approach to vaccination.
• Broad applicability: The technology's adaptability extends its utility to other Pneumoviridae viruses, presenting opportunities for combating various respiratory infections.
• Increased vaccine production efficiency: By yielding higher amounts of attenuated viruses, our technology streamlines vaccine manufacturing processes, enabling broader accessibility to effective vaccines.
• Accelerated antiviral drug development: Insights into m6A methylation and its role in viral replication open avenues for developing novel antiviral drugs targeting the virus's replication process.

With its potential to revolutionize RSV prevention and treatment, our m6A methylation-based technology presents an unparalleled opportunity to impact global health and set a new standard in the fight against respiratory infections. Join us in advancing medical science and saving lives through this cutting-edge innovation.