Versitech, Inc.

The University of Hong Kong

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China

Kwok-Yung Yuen

Johnson Yiu-Nam Lau

Dan Yang

Yi Tsun Richard Kao

Honglin Chen

Fuk Woo Jasper Chan

Kai Wang Kelvin To

Min Zheng

Susanna Kar-Pui Lau

Jie Zhou

Philip Man Lung Yeung

Manson Fok

Patrick Chiu-Yat Woo

Yitsun Richard Kao

Enteroviruses, such as EV-A71, have been found to utilize hWARS as a cell surface receptor, with expression ofhWARS rendering cells susceptible to enteroviral infection. Reduction in hWARS cell surface activity reduces susceptibility to enteroviral infection and provides a mode for treatment or prevention of enteroviral infection and its sequelae. Similarly, expression of hWARS in cultured cells and animal models provides models for understanding enteroviral disease mechanisms and the development of vaccines and/or pharmaceuticals for preventing or treating enteroviral disease.

Compositions and methods for treatment of enterovirus infection

Compositions and methods are described that provide prognostic determination of the severity of influenza infection based on the PDE3A status of an individual. Impaired PDE3A function is associated with severe symptoms on contracting influenza. Specific SNP mutations are identified that are associated with impaired PDE3A function, and primers and kits are provided that permit identification of these SNPs. Such information can also be combined with other patient data.

Compositions and methods for providing a prognosis for influenza infection

The subject invention pertains to attenuated influenza viruses, and related vaccines and methods, comprising a genetically modified viral genome. The genetically modified viral genome comprises a disruption in the non-structural (NS1) coding segment and one or more base substitution in the matrix membrane protein coding segment. The genetic modifications result in viruses that lose NS1 functionality, yet remain replication competent.

Live attenuated vaccines for influenza viruses

Compounds which exhibit antiviral activity, particularly against influenza virus, and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. In one embodiment, the compounds are heterocyclic amides containing piperazine and isozazole rings and optionally substituted with one or more substituents. The compounds can be formulated with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to form compositions suitable for enteral or parenteral administration. The compounds are preferably used to treat or prevent Influenza A infections, such as H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7, H1N2, H9N2, H7N2, H7N3, and H10N7.

Antiviral compounds and methods of making and using thereof

Described herein are isolated, a(FmoPV), nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides and antibodies related to FmoPV and uses thereof. In certain embodiments, the FmoPV is a feline. Also described herein is a recombinant FmoPV comprising a modified FmoPV gene or gene segments and uses thereof. Also described is a recombinant FmoPV for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases related to FmoPV or a delivery vector. Also described herein is a diagnostic assay for FmoPV, natural or artificial variants, analogs, or derivatives thereof. Also described herein is a vaccine and a kit containing the vaccine for the prevention and treatment of FmoPV infection. Also provided is a diagnostic kit comprising nucleic acid molecules for the detection of FmoPV.

Feline morbillivirus and uses thereof

Growing community of inventors

Hong Kong, China

Kwok-Yung Yuen