The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded a contract to Kineta, Inc. for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics to address a variety of viral diseases.
Kineta’s novel class of molecules has been shown in pre-clinical tests to inhibit a diverse range of viral pathogens including Ebola, influenza A & B, dengue, West Nile, Lassa fever, respiratory syncytial virus and human coronaviruses.
The funding is valued at $1.4M for the base award, with options to exercise an additional $2.52 M over two to three years.
“Kineta’s small molecule compounds trigger a natural immune response by targeting processes that activate the innate human immune transcription factor, IRF-3, a critical responder that drives antiviral gene expression to suppress viral replication,” said Kristin Bedard, Director and Head of Kineta’s Virology Program.
Kineta’s innate immune antiviral compounds offer novel mechanisms of action that activate the innate immune transcription factor IRF-3, a critical first responder that is essential for inhibiting viral replication and clearing infection. Unlike direct acting antivirals, these host-directed compounds have demonstrated efficacy across a broad spectrum of RNA and DNA viruses and offer the potential for a pan-viral therapy that circumvents drug resistance.
