Our Science
Kimer Med is rapidly advancing a pipeline of novel broad-spectrum antiviral drug candidates.
Our Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Platform
Our proprietary platform enables the rapid design and optimisation of novel, broad-spectrum antiviral drug candidates.
Rapid
Accelerated drug discovery time reduces development costs.
Effective
Employs a modular, iterative approach to optimise drug candidate efficacy.
Targeted
We can design to circumvent specific viral defence mechanisms.
Our unique approach targets ALL viruses*
Viruses have an ‘Achilles heel’
Viruses are a deadly and elusive adversary but they have an ‘Achilles heel’. During lytic replication, all viruses (*with one possible exception), produce long strands of double-stranded RNA. This provides us a drug target common to all viruses, and opens the door for our genuinely broad-spectrum antiviral approach.
Proven broad-spectrum antiviral efficacy
In spite of the diversity found in the viral genome, because of our common target we can deploy our antiviral platform against any virus of interest. To date, we’ve achieved in vitro efficacy against 21 different viruses across 9 virus families, with low toxicity. Our early in vivo results also confirm efficacy and low toxicity.
Addressing multiple unmet global health needs
Our goal is to bring to market a family of broad-spectrum antivirals. Collectively they’ll address multiple unmet global health needs, and provide protection against future pandemics.
We optimise for efficacy and targeted delivery
Biological compounds
Our antivirals are recombinant fusion proteins (biologics). They consist mostly of protein fragments found naturally in all vertebrates.
Modular design
We design and assemble them with functional parts which can be swapped out to optimise for specific viruses, and cell and tissue types.
Accepted technology
There are more than 130 FDA approved recombinant proteins used in medicine around the world.
Proven broad-spectrum capability
Our scientists have achieved in vitro antiviral efficacy against 21 human viruses so far. Most have no approved antiviral treatment.
Dengue
(All four serotypes)
Dengue fever is the most common and widespread mosquito-borne viral disease in the world. It can cause high fevers, crippling joint pain, serious organ failure and death.
There is no antiviral for Dengue.
Influenza A
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by various influenza viruses. Globally there are around 1 billion cases of influenza each year, resulting in the deaths of 700,000 people on average.
There are some antivirals for influenza.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
CMV is actually a group of viruses related to those that cause chickenpox, herpes simplex and mononucleosis. It is a very common virus, affecting people of all ages. It’s estimated that 85% of all humans over 40 have CMV. Some treatments exist.
There is no cure for CMV.
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
Very common and very contagious, it’s estimated that 90-95% of adults worldwide are infected with EBV. It’s strongly linked to multiple cancers, such as Hodgkin’s and Burkitt’s Lymphoma, and 99% of cases of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma are EBV-related (NIH).
There is no antiviral for EBV.
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)
VZV is herpes virus that causes chickenpox, shingles and other infections. The virus stays in your body and can reactivate years later. VZV infections can cause a painful or itchy rash, fever and other symptoms.
There are some antivirals for VZV.
Zika
The World Health Organisation has declared Zika a public health emergency of international concern. Zika virus can cause microcephaly, a condition where a baby’s head is significantly smaller than expected due to abnormal brain development.
There is no antiviral for Zika.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea) and fever, mostly in infants. There are around 111 million cases each year, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths – in fact an estimated 1,205 children die from rotavirus disease daily.
There is no antiviral for Rotavirus.
Cytomegalovirus GDGr K17
CMV GDGr K17 is a drug-resistant strain. Drug resistance is a growing concern in transplant recipients and other immunocompromised patients. It is associated with higher rates of transplant dysfunction and increased mortality, especially in solid organ transplant recipients.
There is no cure for CMV.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
(HPV-11, HPV-18, HPV-31)
Human papillomaviruses are a group of common viruses spread through skin to skin contact. Some are sexually transmitted and can cause genital warts, and a range of cancers. There are more than 150 types of HPV, and at least 14 of these are high-risk types linked to cancer.
There are no antivirals for HPV.
Human Herpesvirus 6B
HHV-6B infects approximately 70% of children by the age of three and often results in fever, diarrhea, sometimes with a rash known as roseola. Although rare, infection can also cause febrile seizures, encephalitis or intractable seizures.
There is no specific antiviral for HHV-6B.
Cold viruses
(Rhinovirus and Coronavirus 229E)
With around 7 billion cases every year, the common cold leads to hundreds of millions of doctor’s visits, and missed work and school days – the cost of which exceeds US$20 billion in the USA each year.
There is no antiviral for colds.
Herpes Simplex 2
An estimated 491 million people aged 15–49 worldwide have HSV-2, the main cause of genital herpes. There are medicines that can decrease how long symptoms last and how severe they are, but they can’t eliminate the infection.
There is no cure for HSV-2.
Human Polyomavirus 2
(AKA John Cunningham Virus or JCV).
A very common virus that infects between 70-90% of people in the world. and can cause a serious and deadly brain infection (PML) in those with a weakened or suppressed immune system.
There is no antiviral for Human Polyomavirus 2.
Herpes Simplex 1
In 2020, an estimated 3.8 billion people under the age of 50, or 64% of the global population, had HSV-1 infection, primarily responsible for oral herpes (cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth and face).
There is no cure for HSV-1.
Cowpox
Cowpox is a rare viral infection caused by a DNA orthopoxvirus that is similar to the smallpox viruses. It is transmitted by contact with infected animals, such as cattle and wild rodents, which serve as its natural reservoir.
There is no specific antiviral for cowpox.
R&D PARTNERS:
We collaborate with a network of local and global partners.
Kimer Med works with both local and global experts in recombinant protein fabrication and virology to progress our science.