3. The researchers successfully demonstrated a decrease in the concentration of the virus in mice using this new type of drug.
5. While targeted protein degradation methods like PROTACS have their uses, they come with limitations and are not always the best or feasible strategy.
6. In contrast to PROTACS, RIBOTACs degrade RNA but also have limitations, like not working in cell types with low concentrations of ribonucleases.
7. The researchers designed the PINAD to destroy targeted RNA just by being in close proximity to it, without requiring ribonucleases.
8. The PINAD is made of a targeted RNA binding compound linked to an RNA-cleaving small molecule, or RNA warhead, by a spacer molecule.
9. The use of PINAD against SARS-CoV-2 in a mouse model resulted in lower viral loads and reduced inflammation markers, but didn't confer survival benefit.
10. The researchers aim to improve the pharmacodynamic profile of their COVID-19 PINAD and other PINADs, hoping this could lead to a new class of antiviral drugs, and are also focusing on making the drugs useful against other types of diseases.