Short Viral RNAs (svRNAs) with Theragnostic Potential in Infection with SARS-CoV-2 and Related Viruses

Value Proposition

• Novel Biomarkers for Diagnosis & Prognosis
• Insights into viral immune evasion mechanism
  • Identify key host pathways targeted by svRNAs
• Novel Therapeutic Targets
  • Identified pathways enable the development of immune-modulating therapies.

Unmet Need

• Studies have show than SARS-CoV-2 employs various mechanisms to evade the host’s innate immune response, including the suppression of several pathways, thus many patients progress to severe diseases. This highlights some ineffective immune response in severe COVID cases.
• Identifying SARS-CoV-2-derived svRNAs addresses several unmet needs in the fight against COVID-19, offering both clinical and research value. These small viral RNAs contribute to disease progression, immune suppression and their discovery open new path for innovations.

Technology Description

• Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified several short viral ribonucleic acid sequences (svRNAs) derived from SARS-CoV-2 that appear to be particularly stable, as well as novel assays for detecting and quantitating them. The svRNAs disclosed are claimed to be significantly more abundant in infected cells than previously reported svRNAs. Therefore, these svRNAs may serve as stable, sensitive markets for early infection and new therapeutic targets.
  • svRNA stability means that the RNA is able to resist degradation by cellular enzymes and maintains its structure/function over time. This is important because stability makes them easier to detect in clinical samples and may help identify and solidify therapeutic targets.

Stage of Development

• Have verified the existence of disclosed svRNAs and have made bioinformatics-based predictions of host targets.
• Current efforts focus on assessing the degree to which these molecules are released from infected cells and present in biological fluids and to ascertain their biological roles.