Funding
Marpē
Therapeutics
Novel Antivirals To Combat
Avian & Human Flu, Zika & Dengue Viruses
© Marpē Therapeutics, 2018
About Us
Marpē (mar-pay) Therapeutics is developing broad-spectrum anti-viral drugs to combat Avian & Human Influenza, Zika and Dengue viruses.
The Challenge
Human Influenza:
Each year there are 3-5 million severe cases and 0.5 million deaths worldwide.
Vaccines: Seasonal vaccines are effective but mismatches lower vaccine efficacy. Pandemic outbreaks occur unexpectedly and there is insufficient time for vaccine design and development.
Anti Virals: are available but drug-resistance can develop with a single specific mutation in the virus.
Avian Influenza:
Has been reported in 53 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa. This has caused deaths of at least 130 people, and has led to the culling of millions of birds to limit the disease and its spread.
We has a peptide that kills multiple human and avian influenza viruses including H1, H3, H5 and H7 subtypes.
Zika & Dengue:
Both viruses are designated tropical diseases for priority review voucher.
40% of world’s population is at risk for Dengue infection.
Vaccines: Sanofi currently has a licensed Dengue vaccine. It has limited success and is not recommended for use in individuals without prior exposure to Dengue.
Zika vaccines are currently in development.
Vaccines induce antibody-mediated enhancement, hence anti-virals are crucial for disease management.
We have a peptide that kills all strains of Zika viruses and Dengue viruses (DENV1,2,3,&4)
There is a pressing need to develop efficient anti virals against Influenza, Zika an Dengue viruses
The Solution
We are developing peptides that target Zika, Dengue and Influenza viruses. These peptides are virucidal, they directly bind to viruses and destroy the virus particles.
Background: Host defense peptides represent the ancient arm of the innate immune system. All six kingdoms of life express these peptides. We harnessed this system to combat modern-day pathogens. We screened Influenza, Zika and Dengue viruses against a library of host defense peptides and identified those that exhibited the most effective anti-viral activity.
These peptides act by killing the virus.
The Team
Joshy Jacob PhD
Founder & Chief Scientific Officier
Dr. Jacob received his doctoral training at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and post doctoral training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is currently a tenured Professor at Emory University School of Medicine.