Inhaled antiviral therapeutics against respiratory infections
Affilogic is developing pulmonary delivered antiviral molecules against influenza virus
The strategy relies on a dual targeting: direct administration to the targeted organ (lungs) and targeting the pathogen and/or the host. Nanofitins® being 20 times smaller than antibodies, highly soluble and extremely stable proteins, they can be easily nebulized (liquid form) or spray dried (solid form) for inhalation, while conserving their activity, even after stability assays over time. Affilogic already demonstrated bio-distribution of Nanofitins® into different compartments of mice lungs.
We have proven that our Nanofitin®-based molecule targeting influenza neutralizes the virus ex vivo on live human lung tissues and, when delivered intranasally, prevents death of mice infected with influenza in a mouse survival viral challenge. We are also exploring recruitment and activation of immune cells with Nanofitins® targeting the immune system, as part of a Nanofitin®-based multi-specific construct.
Such research activities are partially supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the French Government in the framework of France 2030 via BPI France (N° DOS0162668/00-DOS0162669/00).
Satellite projects :
Sars-CoV-2 : Affilogic has already proven the ability of Nanofitins® to be efficient in neutralizing viral infectious diseases by targeting the Spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with significant viral load reduction in a preventive and a curative approach (Viollet et al., Inhalable Nanofitin demonstrates high neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 virus via direct application in respiratory tract, Molecular Therapy 2023).