HEX17(Neumifil) : an intranasal respiratory biotherapeutic with broad-acting antiviral activity
Abstract
Broad-acting antiviral strategies to prevent respiratory tract infections are urgently required. Emerging or re-emerging viral diseases caused by new or genetic variants of viruses such as influenza viruses (IFVs), respiratory syncytial viruses (RSVs), human rhinoviruses (HRVs), parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) or coronaviruses (CoVs), pose a severe threat to human health, particularly in the very young or old, or in those with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although vaccines remain a key component in controlling and preventing viral infections, they are unable to provide broad-spectrum protection against recurring seasonal infections or newly emerging threats. HEX17 (aka Neumifil), is a first-in-class protein-based antiviral prophylactic for respiratory viral infections. HEX17 consists of a hexavalent carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) with high affinity to sialic acids, which are typically present on terminating branches of glycans on viral cellular receptors. This allows HEX17 to block virus engagement of host receptors and inhibit infection of a wide range of viral pathogens and their variants with reduced risk of antiviral resistance. As described herein, HEX17 has demonstrated broad-spectrum efficacy against respiratory viral pathogens including IFV, RSV, CoV and HRV in multiple in vivo and in vitro studies. In addition, HEX17 can be easily administered via an intranasal spray and is currently undergoing clinical trials.
Citation
Potter , J A , Aitken , A , Yang , L , Hill , J , Tortajada , A , Hurwitz , J L , Jones , B G , Alias , N , Zhou , M & Connaris , H 2024 , ' HEX17(Neumifil) : an intranasal respiratory biotherapeutic with broad-acting antiviral activity ' , Antiviral Research , vol. 228 , 105945 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105945
Publication
Antiviral Research
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0166-3542Type
Journal article
Description
Funding: This research has been funded by Pneumagen Ltd.Collections
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