Lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia in pediatrics and some adults are caused by respiratory syncytial virus. The therapies include the controversial ribavirin for treatment or humanized RSV monoclonal antibodies (Synagis) for prevention. The cost per season for Synagis prophylaxis is about US$ 5,000. In the absence of an effective vaccine, RSV remains a serious health threat and effort must be mounted to find effective and more economical therapies. An innovative approach of treating RSV infection with ethnobotanical (EB) preparations was identified in Phase I of this project and this concept has the potential of reducing the current treatment cost. In Phase I, the feasibility of the concept was proved by the significant in vitro and in vivo anti-RSV activity, which was better or comparable to ribavirin. This approach of using EB preparations with historical use as a treatment to target diseases was developed in enough detail to provide a basis for further development of active ingredients as anti-RSV agents. In Phase II, the active compounds in these EB fractions will be chemically purified, characterized and developed to the level of readiness required to launch clinical evaluation of these compounds as therapeutic agents against RSV infections.

Proposed Commercial Applications

NOT AVAILABLE

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44AI046848-03
Application #
6622230
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-K (10))
Program Officer
Dempsey, Walla L
Project Start
2000-05-15
Project End
2004-02-29
Budget Start
2003-03-01
Budget End
2004-02-29
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$364,521
Indirect Cost
Name
Zymetx, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
965128739
City
Oklahoma City
State
OK
Country
United States
Zip Code
73104
Ojwang, Joshua O; Wang, Yan-Hong; Wyde, Philip R et al. (2005) A novel inhibitor of respiratory syncytial virus isolated from ethnobotanicals. Antiviral Res 68:163-72