A new approach to block SARS-CoV-2 by turning its own replication against it
Official title: A NOVEL STRATEGY TO INHIBIT SARS-COV-2 INFECTION AND COVID-19
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11361615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A novel intranasal therapy uses a virus-activated toxin strategy to kill infected cells while sparing healthy ones, aiming to reduce COVID-19 infection in a mouse model.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 13, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $749,787 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI178605-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with early-stage COVID-19 or those at high risk of severe disease who could benefit from rapid viral clearance strategies in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced disease or contraindications to inhaled nanoparticle therapies may not benefit in this preclinical stage.
What this research studies
Researchers will test a targeted RNA therapy delivered via inhalable nanoparticles directly to the lungs of human ACE2 transgenic mice. The therapy uses RNA that is specifically activated by the SARS-CoV-2 polymerase to produce a toxin inside infected cells, prompting their death and preventing viral spread. The delivery system is designed with biodegradable polymers to safely reach lung tissue without harming uninfected cells. The study will monitor viral clearance, lung health, and potential toxic effects over time to assess feasibility for future human studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to a new, selective therapy that reduces viral load and lung damage in COVID-19 patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous RNA-delivery approaches to respiratory infections have shown promise in preclinical models but this exact mechanism is novel and in early development.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gallay, Philippe Andre — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Gallay, Philippe Andre
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.