VIRONIKA SECURES PHASE I SBIR FUNDING FROM NIH TO DEVELOP SMALL MOLECULE INHIBITOR THERAPEUTICS FOR HIV INFECTION

Vironika, LLC, secured a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop small molecule Inhibitors to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

This SBIR proposal addresses a critical need for therapeutics to supplement combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), which reduces viral load, but is unable to completely cure HIV-1 infection. The goal of this SBIR is to develop methods for identifying small molecules that result in inhibition of virus replication, which could lead to a functional cure of HIV disease.

"We are thrilled to have received funding to explore the development of new therapeutics with the potential to cure HIV infection," says Nelson Delgado, Ph.D., D(ABMM), Principal Investigator for this SBIR grant.

Vironika, LLC, is a privately held company founded in 2009 by Paul Lieberman, Ph.D. Dr. Lieberman is a full Professor at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia.

VIRONIKA SECURES PHASE I SBIR FUNDING FROM NIH TO DEVELOP SMALL MOLECULE INHIBITORS TO ERADICATE HSV LATENT INFECTION IN NEURONS

Vironika, LLC, secured a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop small molecule Inhibitors to eradicate herpes simplex virus (HSV) Latent infection in neurons.

The goal of the SBIR proposal is to develop novel small molecule drug candidate for the treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) latent infection in neurons. It is estimated that ~800,000 individuals in the US will be newly infected with HSV1 or HSV2 each year, and that the total infection rate approaches 80% for adults over 50 yrs of age. Long-term latent infection and chronic reactivation of HSV1 and HSV2 remain a significant source of morbidity, including a major source of blindness and encephalitis.  HSV latency is associated with ocular keratitis, blindness, and encephalitis, as well as chronic reactivation leading to significant discomfort and morbidity.  HSV latent infection may also be linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

“Chronic, long-term infection with herpes simplex virus remains a significant unmet medical need.There is no vaccine and drug to cure this disease. We are very excited to obtain this funding which allows us to develop a new treatment for HSV latent infection.” says Takahiro Yano, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of this grant.

VIRONIKA SECURES PHASE I SBIR FUNDING FROM NIH TO DEVELOP SMALL MOLECULE THERAPEUTIC / DIAGNOSTIC FOR LATENT EBV INFECTION

Vironika, LLC, secured a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a small molecule inhibitor that works via a novel mechanism for latent Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).

“We are thrilled to receive funding for a novel approach to development of a therapeutic targeting latent EBV infection, which may also serve as a diagnostic tool for EBV-dependent tumor identification,” says Ursula Ramirez, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of this grant.

The grant will allow Vironika to develop novel small molecules to serve as a therapeutic and/or diagnostic for latent EBV infection, through the development of lead compounds that show great efficacy and specificity in biochemical, cellular and in vivo assays.

Vironika, LLC, is a privately held company founded in 2009 by Paul Lieberman, Ph.D.  Dr. Lieberman is a full Professor at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia.

VIRONIKA ESTABLISHES PRESENCE AT SCIENCE CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA

Vironika, LLC, has moved its biology lab to the University City Science Center in Philadelphia.

“This move will allow us to establish a more prominent presence in the Philadelphia scientific biotech community, expand our team of scientists, and continue our efforts in developing novel therapies in cancer and other disease indications” says Pieter van den Heuvel, Ph.D., Program Director.  “We are very pleased with our new location, and positions Vironika to leverage the great resources offered by the Science Center, which not only includes the scientific infrastructure but also the valuable network of other successful biotech companies and investors".

Vironika, LLC, is a privately held company founded in 2009 by Paul Lieberman, Ph.D., from the Wistar Institute.

VIRONIKA SECURES PHASE I SBIR FUNDING FROM NIH TO DEVELOP INHIBITORS FOR EBV LYTIC REACTIVATION

Vironika, LLC, secured a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a small molecule inhibitor for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) lytic reactivation.

“We are thrilled to receive funding for the development of an inhibitor for EBV lytic reactivation, an important aspect in virus-dependent tumor formation,” says Baiwei Gu, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of this grant.

The grant will allow Vironika to follow up on initial screening for inhibitors of EBV lytic reactivation, and develop lead compounds that show great efficacy and specificity in biochemical, cellular and in vivo assays.

Vironika, LLC, is a privately held company founded in 2009 by Paul Lieberman, Ph.D.  Dr. Lieberman is a full Professor at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia.

VIRONIKA RECEIVES PHASE I SBIR GRANT FROM NIH TO DEVELOP A NOVEL STABLE AND TUNABLE GENE THERAPY

Vironika, LLC, received a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a novel delivery system for gene therapy.

“We are very excited to have secured funding for the development of a novel gene therapy delivery system utilizing our expertise and resources in virology,” says Pieter van den Heuvel, Ph.D., Principal Investigator.

The grant will allow Vironika to develop a novel delivery system for gene therapy, superior to current systems due to specific viral components which will allow for more stable and tunable gene expression.

Vironika, LLC, is a privately held company founded in 2009 by Paul Lieberman, Ph.D.  Dr. Lieberman is a full Professor at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia.

VIRONIKA RECEIVES PHASE II SBIR GRANT FROM NIH TO CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF EBV LATENCY INHIBITORS.

Vironika, LLC, received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue its efforts to identify small molecules that will inhibit Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).

“We are very excited to be able to optimize our lead compounds,” says Mark McDonnell, Ph.D., Principal Investigator.  “This highly competitive grant is indicative of the quality and results of our EBV drug discovery and the enthusiasm of the scientific review committee for this approach to eradicating EBV-related malignancies.”

The grant will allow Vironika to further develop and test compounds related to the lead compounds the company has already identified and test them in cell-based assays and xenograft tumor models.

Vironika, LLC, is a privately held company founded in 2009 by Paul Lieberman, Ph.D.  Dr. Lieberman is a full Professor at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia.