The global health community is urging caution and care in response to Zika’s explosive spread and is calling for rapidly stepped up efforts by researchers to find therapeutics and vaccines for those who contract it.
For years, Ennaid Therapeutics has been committed to developing cures for mosquito-borne diseases, including Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika viruses – and is now advancing its work on Zika to address the urgent global need.
Zika Virus
Zika is linked to microcephalic birth defects and possible eye damage in babies. The virus, which is transmitted by Aedes species mosquito, has infected 1 million Brazilians and 50+ people in the United States. An estimated 4 million infections are expected in the Americas in 2016. Zika’s risk to pregnant women is a top priority, according to the CDC.
"Zika virus, which is now our focus, has been in our ten-product pipeline for years, and we will continue developing cures for the growing numbers of Dengue, West Nile and Chikungunya sufferers, among other mosquito-borne diseases," says Darnisha Harrison, Ennaid Therapeutics’ CEO.
Ennaid Therapeutics’ Science
Our peptide fusion inhibitors show significant inhibition against many Flaviviridae family of viruses, such as Dengue and possibly Zika; both carried by the Aedes species mosquito, and both of the flavivirus genus
Our peptide’s stem mimic the stem of many Flaviviridae viruses, thus inhibiting viral infections
Zika stem is a very close match to our peptide’s stem and feasibility studies are underway.
Already planned development studies will determine our peptide’s inhibition against Zika virus in vivo and safety in pregnancy
Our fast-track development strategy will then allow Ennaid Therapeutics to immediately begin clinical trials, as funding is secured
Currently there are safe and effective commercialized peptide fusion inhibitors, such as Enfuvirtide, brand name Fuzeon