Antiviral Peptide

LUCA AI Cell is developing a broad-spectrum antiviral peptide therapeutic designed to target and disrupt the lipid envelope of enveloped viruses. This peptide-based drug utilizes a membrane disruption mechanism that selectively destroys the viral lipid membrane, thereby inactivating the virus. Because it targets the lipid envelope—a structural component common to many viruses—rather than specific viral proteins, the therapeutic is intended to be effective against a wide range of enveloped viruses regardless of mutations or virus type. The program has received support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) program, which funds development from preclinical stages through Phase 1 clinical trials. Primary indications include Zika virus, Dengue virus, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Chikungunya, COVID-19, Ebola, Marburg, Rift Valley Fever, and Rabies.

Other names

Disruptor of Lipid Enveloped Viruses