Virus Infections
At present, there are over 200 known viral vector borne human diseases, of which only nine are treatable withcurrent antiviral drugs. Every year, viral diseases cause immense humansuffering and huge economic burden to societies. The Human society is ill preparedto respond to emerging viral outbreaks.
- 2ndlargest recession in human history (SARS-CoV-2)
- 3% of thehuman population dies (Influenza pandemic in 1918)
- 38M+Infected globally (HIV)
- 7th leading cause of death (Viral Hepatitis)
Broad-spectrum antiviralsBroad-spectrum antiviralplatforms that can decrease or inhibit viral infection would alleviate manythreats to global public health and to economies, but broadly applicableantiviral platform technologies do not yet exist. To address the unmet need fornew antivirals, we are developing a programmable approach to antiviral therapy,termed VirusTrap. The VirusTrap concept entails engulfing and neutralizingviral pathogens within de novo designed macromolecular shells. The VirusTraphas the potential to function as a broad-spectrum antiviral that will helphuman society to be better prepared for any kind of existing viral threat andfuture pandemics.
