Metabiose

Model of metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in the non-human primate (NHP) Cynomolgus

The aim of this R&D project is to develop and characterize a model of metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in the non-human primate (NHP) Cynomolgus in order to meet current unmet needs for the development and preclinical evaluation of prophylactic or therapeutic solutions against these respiratory infections, which are a major global health and economic issue. These viral infections are the main cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in young children (33 million children under 5 infected per year, 3 million hospitalizations per year, including 2% deaths). In particular, this project aims to exploit the PNH model developed to validate the preclinical efficacy of a drug already repositioned by Signia Therapeutics as a new-generation antiviral against hMPV viruses. The project is fully in line with the Cynbiome programme (PIA3), which brings together a number of regional players in the health DOMEX.

The aims of the project are (i) to develop, validate and characterize a PNH model of hMPV infection and (ii) to use this model to validate the preclinical efficacy of a new nebulized delivery method for a drug repositioned by Signia Therapeutics (Dilitiazem) as a new-generation antiviral (patent WO/2019/224489 A1) and to accelerate its transfer to phase 2 clinical trials (the project's ultimate aim).

The consortium is made up of three players based in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, whose complementarity will be used to innovate: Cynbiose and Signia Therapeutics are the industrial partners and the VirPath laboratory is the academic partner.