The Use of Emetine for the Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

This technology includes the clinical use of the small compound emetine for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Previous work has shown that emetine has antiviral properties against some DNA and RNA viruses. It is thought that the mechanism may involve blocking protein synthesis. Work has shown that emetine has potential antiviral activity in multiple tissues that may make it suitable for the treatment of COVID-19.

Repurposing CDK Inhibitors for the Treatment of Zika Virus Infection

This invention includes the discovery and use of a group of CDK inhibitors that were found during a drug repurposing screen designed to find compounds that inhibit Zika virus caused cell death. The identified CDK inhibitors have all previously been used in clinical trials for other diseases, potentially reducing the long time course needed for new drug discovery and development.

SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies and Synthetic Nanobody Library Using a Humanized Llama Framework Region

NCATS has developed a highly diverse synthetic library that will allow for the rapid identification of novel nanobodies that bind to a wide arrange of target antigens. The humanized framework used to construct the library will facilitate the transition of lead candidates into patient studies. Several highly potent SARS-CoV-2 nanobodies (antibodies) have been identified and are available for further development.

NCATS is actively seeking licensing for the 1) a synthetic library and 2) the potent neutralizing antibodies with activity against SARS-CoV-2.

Three-Dimensional Respiratory Epithelial Tissue Constructs With Perfusable Microvasculature

The invention provides two vascularized, multi-chip models for the alveoli and the small airway. Both models comprise a perfusable three-dimensional (3D) microvascular network consisting of human primary microvascular endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and pericytes with a differentiated lung epithelial layer exposed at the air-liquid interface (ALI) on top, built on a high-throughput, 64-chip microfluidic plate platform. The platform does not require the support of a permeable membrane and the epithelial cells are directly seeded on the perfused microvascular network.

Mouse Model of Cobalamin A (cblA) Class Isolated Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA) to Study New Therapies

Isolated Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA) comprises a relatively common and heterogeneous group of inborn errors of metabolism. Most affected individuals display severe multisystemic disease characterized by metabolic instability, chronic renal disease, and neurological complications. Patients with the cobalamin A (cblA) subtype of MMA can have variable presentations, spanning the full spectrum of MMA associated symptoms and pathology, yet always harbor an element of clinical and biochemical responsiveness to injectable vitamin B12.

Aberrant Post-translational Modifications (PTMs) in Methyl- and Propionic Acidemia and the Construction of a Novel Sirtuin (SIRT) Gene to Metabolize PTMs

Isolated Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA) and the related disorder Propionic Acidemia (PA) comprise a relatively common and heterogeneous group of inborn errors of metabolism. NHGRI scientist discovered that in isolated MMA, a novel inhibitory PTM, methylmalonyllysine, is generated and inactivates protein targets through the failure of SIRT-mediated deacylation, and identified a series of antibodies for PTM specificity.

High Concentration Methylcobalamin (Me-Cbl) or Combination of Methyl- and Hydroxocobalamin (Me/OH-Cbl) for the Treatment of Cobalamin C Deficiency and Related Disorders

Cobalamin C deficiency (cblC), caused by mutations in MMACHC, is the most common inborn error of intracellular vitamin B12 metabolism. NHGRI scientist have generated a number of Mmachc knockout mouse models. The cblC mice present with early lethality, recapitulate the neurological phenotype seen in patients, and have enabled proof of concept testing with traditional hydroxocobalamin formulations and doses. The scientist have also developed a novel combination of hydroxo- and methylcobalamin, having superior performance to traditional hydroxocobalamin only treatment.

Improved Propionyl-CoA Carboxylase Alpha (PCCA) Alleles in Mouse Models for the Study of Propionic Acidemia (PA) and its Potential Treatments

Propionic acidemia (PA) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by mutations in either PCCA or PCCB. The products of these genes form the alpha and beta subunits of the enzyme propionyl-Co A carboxylase (PCC), a critically important mitochondrial enzyme involved in the catabolism of branched chain amino acids. NHGRI scientist have developed new mouse models that more closely mimic the nature of mutations seen in patients, such as missense mutations, small insertion and deletions, splicing defects, and frameshift changes.

Mmut p.G715v/p.G71 Knock-ln Methylmalonyl-CoA Mutase (Mmut) Allele Mouse Models for the Study of Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA)

Isolated Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA) comprises a relatively common and heterogeneous group of inborn errors of metabolism. In order to create mouse models of MMA to resemble the pathogenic mutations seen in patients, the NHGRI scientist used genome editing to generate new mutants of Mmut allele -p.G715V. This allele recapitulates a missense mutation seen in multiple patients with the disorder. Of note and emphasis is the fact that there are no transgene cassettes or other alternations to the Mmut locus in these new mouse models.

Mmut P.Pro207_Lysl10del/P.Pro207_Lysl10del Knock-In Methylmalonyl-CoA Mutase (Mmut) Allele Mouse Models for the Study of Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA)

Isolated Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA) comprises a relatively common and heterogeneous group of inborn errors of metabolism. In order to create mouse models of MMA to resemble the pathogenic mutations seen in patients, the NHGRI scientist used genome editing to generate new mutants of the Mmut allele -p.Pro207 _Lys210del. In order to create mouse models of MMA to resemble the pathogenic mutations seen in patients, the NHGRI scientist used genome editing to generate new mutants of Mmut allele -p.Pro207 _Lys210del. This allele recapitulates a 12-nucleotide deletion in exon 3 of Mmut.