Yale University spinout RIGImmune, which has been developing stemloop RNA (SLR) therapeutics, announced that it has acquired biotech Subintro, which has been working on antivirals for RNA virus-caused respiratory infections. The company will now develop intranasal therapeutics “that both activate the natural immune activation and demonstrate antiviral activity,” RIGImmune said.
RIGImmune said that its lead candidate, RIG-101 is a RIG-1 agonist in preclinical development for the treatment of influenza and as adjuvant to influenza vaccines using Subintro technology to deliver RIG-101 to the lung through the nasal route “to amplify the mucosal innate immune and antiviral responses.” According to RIGImmune, preclinical studies of RIG-101 have demonstrated proof of principle in oncological models as well as in models of various viral respiratory diseases.
RIGImmune President Susan Sobolov commented, “Joining with the experienced Subintro team will allow us to further advance our development of new treatments, prophylactics and vaccine adjuvants for respiratory diseases caused by RNA viruses. By combining our stem-loop RNA therapeutics or ‘SLRs’ with the Subintro antivirals and novel topical delivery systems, we aim to achieve optimal management of viral respiratory diseases.”
Former Pulmocide and Respivert CEO Garth Rapeport co-founded Subintro in 2020. Rapeport said, “At Subintro, we have been investigating a range of new approaches to maximize the cellular activity and safety of diverse antiviral agents when delivered to respiratory epithelium. Topical delivery of macromolecules is a complex challenge, but we are confident that our approach will enable the successful delivery of RIGImmune’s stem-loop RNA therapeutics.”
Rapeport has also been an entrepreneur-in-residence at F-Prime Capital which is investing in the newly combined company.
Read the RIGImmune press release.
