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news.Preclinical trials have suggested the efficacy of Nastech Pharmaceutical's small interfering RNA therapeutics to broadly target and inhibit influenza viral production.
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The company’s siRNAs are specifically designed to target conserved regions of the influenza viral genome which could enable a siRNA therapeutic to be effective against both current and future strains of the influenza virus – something that is essential in stockpiling a treatment for rapid mobilization during an influenza pandemic.
In vitro screening results identified highly potent siRNAs with IC50 values between 20 and 500 pM that were effective against representative human and avian influenza strains, including H5N1 avian influenza virus.
Furthermore, in vivo results demonstrated that direct-to-lung and intravenous administrations of selected proprietary formulations of siRNAs effectively inhibit influenza viral production in a preclinical model. A 200-fold reduction of viral concentration in the blood was observed.
“The results presented by Nastech demonstrate the effective inhibition of influenza virus production by a siRNA therapeutic and further validate Nastech’s advanced delivery technology and siRNA therapeutic development capabilities,” stated Dr Steven Quay, chairman, president and CEO of Nastech.