KeViRx is an early stage drug discovery company spun out of the UVA Department of Pharmacology by Elizabeth Sharlow and John Lazo. It is located in Charlottesville. KeViRx was just awarded a second National Institutes of Health R43 Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant. This grant (HL158409) is entitled “A PTP4A3 inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2-mediated acute lung injury”.
This Phase I SBIR grant has three proof-of-concept Tasks. Task 1 will determine the ability of KVX-053 to block SARS-CoV-2 Spike 1 protein-mediated loss of pulmonary endothelial barrier function and cytokine release in vitro. Task 2 will determine the ability of KVX-053 to block SARS-CoV-2 Spike 1 protein-mediated loss of pulmonary alveolar epithelial barrier function and cytokine release in vitro. Task 3 will determine the ability of KVX-053 to inhibit the ALI in mice induced by the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. Successful completion of these tasks should enable KeViRx to continue developing an entirely new therapeutic strategy that could prevent or mitigate the initial pulmonary damage and halt the lethal cytokine storm caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses including influenza.
KeViRx is looking for a new technician. Contact Drs. Sharlow or Lazo if you are interested.
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