We announce that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and the European Patent Office have granted our patents in collaboration with the International Associated Laboratory RESPIVIR France-Canada for the repurposing of diltiazem as a modulator of the innate antiviral defence and its combination with current antivirals targeting influenza viruses.

The synergy of Virnext’s expertise in respiratory viruses, preclinical in vitro and in vivo models of infections and facilities with those from the LVMC at Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval has enabled the development and validation at the preclinical stage of diltiazem, as a broad spectrum modulator of the mucosal innate antiviral defense against respiratory viruses, whose public health issues are major.

These granted patents expand our portfolio and highlight the strength of our platform for drug identification and repurposing as innovative broad-spectrum host directed inhibitors of respiratory viruses. Our combinatorial strategy aims to potentiate antiviral therapy and mitigate the risk of spreading of already emerged and/or circulating resistance mutations to current virus-targeted antivirals.

Virnext’s commitment is part of the national and European sovereignty approach to the means of protection against emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. It also aims to contribute to the development of French industries in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and their international competitiveness through the creation of scientific, medical, economic and societal values.