Advancing Innovation: A Compound That Inhibits the COVID-19 Virus, SARS-COV2

April 25, 2023

A Quick-read Asset Development Funding Update

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Asset Development Updates in 30 Seconds

What is the technology?

A Compound That Inhibits the COVID-19 Virus, SARS-COV2

Who is on the inventing team?

  • Professor Gregory Thatcher, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy
  • Assistant Professor Rui Xiong, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate Zhengnan Shen, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy
  • Collaborators: Kiira Ratia, Lijun Rong, Laura Cooper, University of Illinois Chicago

How were Asset Development funds used?

Use TLA Asset Development funding to provide additional data to support initial findings that the PLpro protease inhibitor the team developed significantly reduces viral loads and is thus an excellent therapeutic strategy for the next generation of COVID-19 antiviral medications.

What was the outcome?

Based on the data generated via the studies done through the Asset Development project, pharmaceutical company Sunshine Biopharma made the decision to license the patent rights to the invention and take it forward as a tool in the world-wide effort to combat COVID-19.

Want to learn how you can advance your novel discovery for a better world?

Asset Development funding is a program open to all UArizona inventors. Funding is available now, apply today.

Learn how to apply for Asset Development funding 

Related story: UArizona COVID-19 treatment takes next step toward public impact via license to pharmaceutical company, 2/27/23

Contacts
Paul Tumarkin, Assistant Director, Marketing & Communications