4.2 Million Euros for Antiviral Agents
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There are no effective medicines for many viral diseases. As a result, they can develop into a global threat. As part of the initiative "Innovative Approaches in Antiviral Drug Development", the Volkswagen Foundation is now funding four research groups that are investigating viruses which have been little studied to date and aim to develop new therapeutic strategies to combat them.
Pandemics and emerging viral diseases highlight the urgent need for new antiviral drugs. At the same time, research often focuses on pathogens that have already been well studied. Through its funding initiative "Innovative Approaches to Antiviral Drug Development", the Volkswagen Foundation therefore aims to provide targeted support for projects that develop new classes of active substances to combat viruses that have been little studied to date, whilst also keeping an eye on their potential for practical application. Innovative research approaches – for example in virology, biochemistry, pharmacology or molecular biology – are eligible for funding. A further prerequisite is that a European pharmaceutical or biotech company must be interested in the potential future application of the results.
"Many viruses that pose a potentially significant threat to humans have hardly been researched to date," says funding officer Dr Pavel Dutow. "This is precisely where we need bold, creative research ideas. Our funding is intended to give researchers the freedom to pursue such approaches whilst also considering potential future medical applications at an early stage."
The Foundation has now approved around 4.2 million euros for four research projects:
New therapeutic approaches against dangerous RNA viruses such as Lassa and Crimean-Congo
The research team is developing a new therapy against dangerous RNA viruses. The focus is on so-called DNAzymes – artificially produced DNA molecules that specifically cut viral RNA in infected cells. This prevents viruses from continuing to replicate. In earlier work, the team improved the stability and efficacy of these molecules and encapsulated them in tiny lipid particles, which facilitate their transport into cells. In a model system, this approach successfully treated a chronic arenavirus infection. The researchers now aim to apply this approach to two particularly dangerous viruses: the Lassa virus and the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus. To this end, the team is searching for suitable target sites in the viral RNA and testing promising drug candidates.
Further information can be found in our project database under "Changing the game: New DNAzyme-based therapeutic concepts to cure viral haemorrhagic fever" (Dr. Manuel Etzkorn, Prof. Dr. Holger Gohlke, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf; Prof. Dr. Stephanie Kath-Schorr, Universität zu Köln; Prof. Dr. Philipp Lang, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf; Dr. Lisa Oestreich, Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin; funding: approx. 1.1 million euros)
Effective and safe medicines against hepatitis E
Hepatitis E is one of the most common viral infections of the liver worldwide. The virus can be life-threatening, particularly for pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment available. The research team therefore aims to develop new active substances to combat the hepatitis E virus. To this end, the researchers are targeting a key component of the virus that is essential for its replication. On the one hand, the team is searching for chemical molecules that block this mechanism. On the other hand, it is developing short RNA molecules that specifically break down the viral genetic material. The team is testing both approaches for efficacy and tolerability.
Further information can be found in our project database under "MACROHEV" (Prof. Dr. Sandra Ciesek, Prof. Dr. Eugen Proschak, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main; Prof. Dr. Thomas Krey, Universität zu Lübeck; Dr. Maria Kuzikov, Prof. Dr. Aimo Kannt, Fraunhofer-Institut für Translationale Medizin und Pharmakologie ITMP; Prof. Dr. Eike Steinmann, Ruhr-Universität Bochum; funding: approx. 1 million euros)
New strategy to prevent viruses from entering human cells
Many viruses use the same trick to invade human cells: they bind to a sugar molecule on the cell surface known as sialic acid. The researchers aim to block this common step and thus develop a broadly effective antiviral strategy. To this end, they are searching for molecules that resemble sialic acid and prevent the viruses from binding. The team has already identified the first suitable candidates. The scientists now intend to synthesise further such compounds and test them against various respiratory viruses and other viruses that have been little studied to date. The team will then examine particularly promising active substances in greater detail.
Detailed information on this project can be found under Breit wirksame antivirale Wirkstoffe sollen Viren den Weg in die Zelle versperren.
Further information can be found in our project database under "A Next-Generation Drug Development Platform for Viral Entry Inhibitors Targeting Respiratory and Neglected Viruses with Pandemic Potential" (Prof. Dr. Alexander Titz, Universität des Saarlandes; Jun.-Prof. Dr. Christian Sieben, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung; funding: approx. 1 million euros)
Understanding the hormonal consequences of viral infections and utilising them therapeutically
The research team is investigating how respiratory viruses influence hormonal balance and whether this could lead to new treatments for future pandemics. Their previous studies show that SARS-CoV-2 alters the metabolism of sex hormones. The virus disrupts a key enzyme, leading to increased conversion of testosterone into the hormone oestradiol. In male patients, this effect is associated with more severe disease progression. In animal experiments, the team has already demonstrated that an already approved drug can significantly slow down this process. Treated animals not only recovered more quickly but their lungs also remained healthier in the long term. The researchers now wish to investigate in more detail how such hormonal changes influence lung recovery. To this end, they are testing various active substances.
Further information can be found in our project database under "Restoring virus-induced disruption of the sex hormone metabolism as a potential treatment strategy to reduce acute and long-term disease burden of pandemic pathogens (SHIELD)" (Prof. Dr. Gülsah Gabriel, Leibniz-Institut für Virologie, Hamburg, Hamburg; Prof. Dr. Franziska Richter Assencio, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover; funding: approx. 1 million euros)
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