Vir Biotechnology and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals have expanded their multi-target infectious diseases alliance to include up to three targets for SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19.
Host factors include angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2), required for the virus to enter host cells.
The third target is expected to be identified from Vir’s research on functional genomics. Vir and Alnylam aim to develop and commercialise RNAi therapeutics for the viral infection.
Last month, the companies announced plans to work together on new therapeutics for Covid-19. As part of the expanded partnership, Alnylam’s recent findings on lung delivery of siRNA conjugates will be combined