New type of RNA degrader lowers COVID-19 viral load in mice, opening path to new drug class

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1. A new class of drugs, termed proximity-induced nucleic acid degraders (PINADs), with broader applications in RNA degradation, has been developed by scientists from the University of Cambridge.

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2. A study published in ACS Central Science details the development of a proof-of-concept PINAD drug designed to target the virus causing COVID-19.

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[{"selector":"#anim-8b9c457e-147b-44fd-972d-0bd1d3334827","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] 3. The researchers successfully demonstrated a decrease in the concentration of the virus in mice using this new type of drug. Gray Frame Corner Gray Frame Corner

4. The team is planning to develop more PINADs for use against other diseases.

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[{"selector":"#anim-d9367243-3a45-4850-b612-3f79c3fe0441","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] 5. While targeted protein degradation methods like P ROTACS have their uses, they come with limitations and are not always the best or feasible strategy. Gray Frame Corner Gray Frame Corner

[{"selector":"#anim-f0d83b1e-ce3b-41c7-bda3-48854c60fd84","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] 6. In contrast to PROTACS, RIBOTACs degrade RNA but also have limitations, like not working in cell types with low concentrations of ribonucleases. Gray Frame Corner Gray Frame Corner

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[{"selector":"#anim-4f7cc176-4821-464e-aeab-fd42234a2aea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] 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. Gray Frame Corner Gray Frame Corner

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