More than 200 viruses infect humans, while drugs are available only for a few. To narrow the gap between ‘bugs and drugs’ a new vision is required in drug development: the host should be targeted rather than the virus. The oral superinfection therapy (SIT) of HepC Inc is such a revolutionary therapy. SIT is a therapeutic exploitation of viral interference. Replication of a pathogenic virus is suppressed by the deliberate coinfection with a non-pathogenic virus. During SIT an avian attenuated vaccine virus (the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV)) delivers its double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) cargo to host cells and activates their interferon (IFN) gene program from within. As interferons are active against most viruses, SIT could be developed into a new broad-spectrum antiviral “one drug, multiple bugs” treatment approach of viral diseases.
Transforming viral therapy with repurposed attenuated dsRNA vaccine virus
More than 200 viruses infect humans, while drugs are available only for a few. To narrow the gap between the number of ‘bugs and drugs’ a paradigm change is required in drug development: the host rather than the virus should be targeted by therapy.
Interferons (IFNs) are active against a wide range of viruses. Therefore, the IFN stimulating double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) could provide broad protection against multiple viruses, acting much like an antibiotic does for bacterial infections. This is the vision behind repurposing IBDV that has been traditionally used in the poultry industry with excellent safety. Despite global vaccination programs involving billions of birds no zoonosis was ever recorded during more than 60 years. IBDV has been validated against five different families of viruses: hepatitis A, B, C viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and herpes zoster virus. In an era marked by vaccine hesitancy and the continuous emergence of new viral threats, having an off-the-shelf stockpiled antiviral could enhance pandemic preparedness by mitigating the devastating economic and human costs seen in past pandemics.
Traditional antiviral development struggles with high costs, slow innovation cycles, and unpredictable efficacy. Our research highlights a groundbreaking alternative: repurposing a harmless avian vaccine virus as a versatile, off-the-shelf antiviral agent.
Investment Potential
Strategic Appeal
Investors focused on biotech innovation and disruptive health technologies will recognize the transformative potential of virus-driven antivirals—a sector poised for rapid growth.
A small, short ‘add-on’ herpes zoster Phase I/II trial could pave the way for faster regulatory approval as described below.
In a severe herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) infection, by complementing conventional acyclovir therapy with an add-on oral IBDV immunostimulatory treatment, it was demonstrated that the healing times could be reduced into a few days.
A picture is worth a thousand words
The CSO of HepC Inc’s HZO with orbital edema at the peak of disease and in recovery. The selfie pictures were taken between October 9, 2021, and October 12, 2021. Consent to the publication of patient information was granted by Tibor Bakacs, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., as he was the patient and the treating physician in this autobiography.
A €5M investment supports GMP production and a short Phase I/II trial involving 21 patients that is expected to be completed in ~1 year.
Given the strong prior clinical validation of conventionally produced IBDV in >50 patients, positive trial results of the new drug candidate IBDV-R903/78 will allow rapid monetization—selling it to pharmaceutical companies at many multiples of initial investment.
We are looking for angels or venture capitalists who are interested in a short-term exit for a go/ no-go decision requiring modest investment of around €5 M or pharmaceutical companies who are wishing to complement conventional antiviral therapy with the adjuvant immunostimulatory IBDV superinfection therapy.
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