DRACO

**DRACO** (double-stranded RNA activated caspase oligomerizer) is an experimental broad-spectrum antiviral platform developed by Todd Rider at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory. It selectively induces apoptosis in virus-infected mammalian cells by detecting viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)—a byproduct of viral replication common to most viruses—and linking this detection to caspase oligomerization, activating the apoptosis pathway to rapidly kill infected cells while sparing uninfected ones. In preclinical studies, DRACOs demonstrated efficacy against at least 15-18 viruses across diverse families (e.g., flaviviruses like dengue, orthomyxoviruses like H1N1 influenza, picornaviruses like rhinoviruses, arenaviruses, bunyaviruses, reoviruses, and adenoviruses) in multiple mammalian cell types, with low nanomolar potency, no toxicity in uninfected cells or mice, and protection against H1N1 influenza in vivo. Development at MIT has ceased, but derivatives like VTose are under advancement by Kimer Med for specific viral families such as flaviviruses.

Other names

double-stranded RNA activated caspase oligomerizer