Unmet Need

Asthma exacerbations are the leading cause for admissions of asthma patients to hospitals. Approximately 80% of exacerbations are attributed to respiratory viral infections – with Human Rhinovirus (HRV) infections accounting for nearly two thirds of the virus-related exacerbations.  

Asthma exacerbations have seasonal patterns, with peaks correlating with patterns of rhinovirus detected in the community. This includes the ‘September epidemic’ among children in the northern hemisphere, coinciding with the start of the school year (and a corresponding mid-February peak in the southern hemisphere) and December holiday season. Exacerbations can occur across the spectrum of asthma severity across the controlled population.   

No vaccines exist for rhinovirus, and with >300 variants it is unlikely to see one developed. There are no drugs that prevent or treat rhinovirus, leaving many asthma patients at risk. A single intervention to reduce the occurrence and severity of rhinovirus and other common respiratory viruses would offer a breakthrough for the management of asthma. 

RIG-101 selectively activates the bodies host viral defense system present in all cells, a receptor called RIG-I which results in potent pan-viral prevention activity including the biggest asthma exacerbation trigger, Human Rhinovirus (HRV). To maximize cellular uptake and effectiveness, RIGImmune has implemented the use of our NEED™ delivery platform with RIG-101 and is ready for testing in asthmatics in 2025. 

Prevention of asthma exacerbations due to viral infections is a key goal of treatment. 

Close to 130,000 people globally are affected by cystic fibrosis, a rare genetic disease which without treatment leads to respiratory infections and respiratory failure. Cystic fibrosis (CF) causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other organs because of mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. These mutations prevent chloride from moving to the cell surface, and prevent the movement of water in tissues, which is necessary for preventing the buildup of mucus in CF. When the CFTR protein isn’t working properly, epithelial cells that line the passageways of the lungs, pancreas, and other organs produce mucus that can clog airways and ducts, making it difficult to breathe and digest food. Despite the advancement made in CF with current therapies, up to 15% of patients do not benefit from current therapies.  

RIG-301 could offer a potential effective treatment for a broader range of CF patients as compared to current clinical interventions.