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The COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide public health crisis with over 100 million confirmed cases and 2.4 million deaths as of February 2021. COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Almost all the neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 that are in development recognize the receptor binding domain (RBD) on the spike (S) protein. Blocking the interaction of RBD and the ACE2 receptor on human cells is the first of the two critical steps for neutralization of the virus.

This technology includes a small molecule drug (VDAC inhibitor, also known as VBIT4) that may be useful for inhibiting lupus disease. To test lupus animal model, VBIT4 was continuously administered for 5 weeks to mice and there was no mortality or clinical symptoms in these animals. Additionally, VBIT4 treatment blocked the development of skin lesions and alopecia of the ears and face, and suppressed the thickening of the epidermis that accompanies leukocyte infiltration.

This technology includes the creation and use of A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR)-selective agonists for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, chronic neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and other conditions. A3 receptors for adenosine are found in most cells and endogenous activation of the A3 receptors can result in apoptosis, thereby relieving the inflammation or targeting a tumor. A3AR agonists have been a promising strategy for the treatment of various diseases.

This technology includes a new class of nanobody–antiviral peptide conjugates that block HIV from infecting human CD4⁺ T-cells, positioning them for future therapeutic and prophylactic use. Nanobodies—single-domain antibody fragments—guide the drug to the virus’s docking site and impede receptor binding, while the linked peptide halts the membrane-fusion step, creating a one-two punch against viral entry.

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has been linked to the widespread outbreaks of respiratory illness and acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in the United States and Europe in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Although EV-D68 is now the most frequently encountered enterovirus (41.1% of cases), with an estimated global prevalence of 4%, there are no specific, FDA-approved therapeutic interventions targeting this virus.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the most widespread form of viral hemorrhagic fever, found in Eastern and Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, northwestern China, central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. Typically beginning with non-specific fever, myalgia, nausea, diarrhea, and general malaise, symptoms of infection with the tick-borne CCHF virus (CCHFV) can rapidly progress to hemorrhagic manifestations, with case fatality rates as high as 30-40% in some regions.

Up to 10% of the US population suffers from food allergies, with more than 40% of those experiencing life-threatening anaphylaxis. Peanut is one of the most common food allergens that give rise to persistent IgE-mediated food allergy. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is used to reduce sensitivity to an allergen through repeated, small-dose exposure to the allergen. However, only a subset of patients develop a sustained response to the allergen and OIT carries notable side effects. 

Bone-loss-related diseases, such as periodontitis, are characterized by an imbalance between the formation and activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, leading to bone loss. There are several signaling pathways that participate in the osteoclastogenesis process. Finding inhibitors of these pathways and other osteoclastogenesis-related pathways may have an effect on bone-loss diseases.

There are five known Ebolavirus species: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus); Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus or SUDV); Taï Forest virus (Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Cote d'Ivoire ebolavirus); Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus); and Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus). Last year an ebolavirus outbreak resulted in 164 cases and 55 deaths. While there is an FDA-approved Ebola virus vaccine authorized for use against Ebola virus infections, ERVEBO, this vaccine is not effective against SUDV due to the significant variation between Ebola virus and SUDV.