siRNA TECHNOLOGY IN FIGHTING COVID-19

 

Celluris is developing a promising treatment against the novel coronavirus, called Rfuvir. The technology uses siRNA – small interfering RNA molecules that, by binding to mRNAs, can induce their degradation – this modality, known as RNA interference, can promote the reduction of expression and the silencing of genes, so fundamental proteins would not be produced.

That being said, Rfuvir acts on the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2, which is an RNA. The Celluris technology, executed using molecular biology tools in a safe way, is able to inhibit a specific protein from the novel coronavirus that is responsible for its entry into the host cell, preventing the virus from replicating and reaching other cells.

Through international partnerships such as Israel’s Sheba Medical Center, Celluris seeks to consolidate and accelerate the deployment of Rfuvir, which is in the development stage.