Science
RIG-I Pathway
RIG-I is key to our natural defense against viral infection. When viral RNA enters our cells, it stimulates a rapid, natural defense response: activation of sensor proteins that trigger our innate immune system.
The innate immune system utilizes host encoded nucleic acid sensors known as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), like RIG-I, to surveil viral pathogens. RIG-I mediates viral RNA recognition and initiates front line anti-viral defense through the mitochondria and Interferon-1 dependent and independent mechanisms.
RIG-I
RIGImmune is also developing a platform that seeks to do the opposite, curtail RIG-I, to control inflammation in certain auto-immune diseases by suppressing the immune system. The company is simultaneously working to design these platforms using optimal targeted delivery systems, including nasal delivery of therapeutics for viral infections and tissue targeting through tumor microenvironments.
RIG-I acts like a switch, remaining in its inhibited state in the cytosol until it encounters a high affinity RNA agonist which causes it to undergo a conformational change.
RIGImmune Stem Loop RNA Therapeutics
Our development compounds, known as stem loop RNA therapeutics (SLRs), act as specific and potent activators of RIG-I. The SLRs are well-tolerated in preclinical models for multiple viral respiratory diseases and have been shown to induce an antitumor immune response in multiple oncology models.
The SLRs are designed to mimic the physiological double-stranded viral RNA ligands for RIG-I that are released during viral infection.
SLR Pathway
RIG-I activation by stem loop RNA therapeutics (SLRs) triggers and increases the speed of a multifaceted immune response and preclinical data has shown SLRs to be effective against existing and emerging RNA viruses.
Delivery Platform
We are developing developing proprietary non-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery platforms through multiple routes of administration for our SLRs and matching our novel delivery approaches to disease and tissue specific needs.
Nasal and Inhaled Delivery System
