Broad-spectrum Antiviral siRNAs: Influenza Strains Targeted by Anticipation

Introduction

Fighting emerging viruses has been a major challenge in the development of novel therapeutics. With the current global changes and massive modification of the biosphere, the issue will surely increase in the future.

Project Overview

To overcome this challenge, we will demonstrate on influenza that we are capable of producing active antiviral agents against a strain that is not yet existing. The BARISTA project will allow us to develop a novel therapeutic approach that preserves therapeutic activities over a wide range of influenza strains.

Methodology

We will demonstrate the efficacy of this approach on the influenza strain of the next outbreak. This achievement will be obtained by guiding the design of chemically optimized siRNA through detailed NMR structural analysis.

Testing and Validation

Those molecules will be tested both in vitro and ex vivo. Their broad-spectrum activity will be demonstrated on:

1. Past influenza strains
2. Present influenza strains
3. Future influenza strains

Conclusion

This project will therefore open the way to therapies that can be designed and optimized even before the appearance of a novel strain, providing invaluable help in fighting emerging viruses.