La Marató de 3Cat finances two IrsiCaixa projects to develop new strategies against respiratory infections

Two IrsiCaixa projects are in addition to the 36 selected to receive funding from La Marató 2024, dedicated to research into respiratory diseases. In this edition, the Fundació La Marató has evaluated a total of 91 proposals, reviewed by 93 international experts under the coordination of the Agency for Health Quality and Evaluation of Catalonia (AQuAS).

With funding of €465,000, IrsiCaixa's projects seek new strategies to prevent and combat respiratory infections from innovative and complementary approaches.

A nasal spray to prevent multiple respiratory viruses

The RESProtect project (Development of a nasal spray for prophylaxis against respiratory viruses – RSV and IAV), led by Dàlia Raïch Regué, associate researcher in the Pathogens, Immunity, Signalling and Applied Therapies (PISTA) research group at IrsiCaixa, has funding of €200,000. The study wants to develop an affordable, easy-to-use nasal spray capable of preventing infections caused by different respiratory viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A virus (IAV), and SARS-CoV-2.

The key to the project is cyclodextrins, sugar molecules safe for human use that can block viruses from entering the cells of the nose, preventing the infection from progressing to the lungs.

"Previously, we have already demonstrated the efficacy of these molecules in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell and animal models. Now, our goal is to also test its potential against RSV and the influenza virus", explains Raïch Regué. If the results are positive, the spray could become a universal preventive tool for infants, seniors, immunocompromised patients, and the general population.

New broad-spectrum antiviral therapies to curb influenza and future pandemics

The second project, Novel host-directed broad-spectrum anti-influenza A antivirals to cross protect humans and key susceptible reservoir species, is led by Nuria Izquierdo-Useros, leader of the PISTA research group at IrsiCaixa, in collaboration with Júlia Vergara Alert, group leader at IRTA-CReSA, and has received funding of €265,125. In this case, the study is committed to an innovative host-directed therapy strategy, which consists of acting on cellular mechanisms of the organism itself that viruses use to replicate. This approach reduces the risk of viruses developing resistance and can offer protection against all subtypes of the influenza A virus, both in humans and in animal species that can act as reservoirs, such as birds or livestock.

The research team will analyze how a chemical modification of the RNA of host cells, called m6A, affects the replication of the virus. To do this, they will use cellular models and respiratory organoids, small three-dimensional tissues that mimic the structure and functioning of human and animal lungs.

"Based on this knowledge, we will test inhibitors at different stages of clinical development to see if they can block cellular pathways essential for viral replication. If the results are positive, this line of research could open a new therapeutic avenue capable of reducing seasonal outbreaks of influenza and minimising the risk of future pandemics", explains Izquierdo Useros.

Commitment to innovation and global health

With these two projects, IrsiCaixa reaffirms its commitment to translational research and the improvement of global health, promoting both preventive and therapeutic strategies to face the challenges of respiratory infections.

The expected results could contribute to reducing the health and economic burden of these diseases worldwide and offer new tools to protect the most vulnerable populations.