ELD403, Anti-RSV​

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms. However, infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients such as people with cystic fibrosis are at greater risk of RSV infection. RSV is becoming increasingly recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Indeed, RSV infections lead to 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths in adults over 65 each year.

Our goal is to develop novel treatments to alleviate RSV infection and lessen the severity of airway disease. We have developed ELD403, a novel peptide that causes RSV aggregation, leading to reduced infection.

ELD403 causes viral aggregation
RSV Only

RSV + ELD403

Fluorescently labeled RSV was incubated in solution with or without ELD403 for 1 hour 45 minutes at room temperature and image stacks were obtained by confocal microscopy. Stacks were then rendered into 3 dimensions.

ELD403 prevents RSV infection of human airway epithelia

ELD403 is a novel peptide that binds to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), causing viral aggregation.

We have found that ELD403 directly binds to RSV. Moreover, ELD403 prevents infection of primary human airway epithelial cultures.

The images are 3D confocal micrographs of human airway epithelia infected with RSV which expresses green fluorescent protein when it infects cells. Top, cells were exposed to RSV and vehicle. Bottom, cells were exposed to ELD403 and RSV.