Ethris, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has paved a new path from genes to therapeutic proteins, using its proprietary RNA and lipidoid nanoparticle technology platform to discover, design and develop innovative therapies. With more than a decade as an mRNA pioneer, Ethris is a global leader in delivering stabilised mRNAs directly to the respiratory system via optimised formulation and nebulisation technologies. The company is rapidly advancing its mRNA pipeline of immuno-modulation, protein replacement therapies, and differentiated vaccines, with the ultimate goal of improving patients’ lives.

Within NoVir, Ethris is responsible for the organizational framework. They will provide guidance to enable a smooth project workflow and ensure that objectives and milestones will be met in time. Furthermore, Ethris will be sponsoring a clinical trial to demonstrate antiviral prophylactic and therapeutic activity of ETH47 on influenza A virus inoculated healthy adults.

The Institute of Virology at TUM is part of the School of Medicine and combines basic research on viral pathogens with patient-focused diagnostic and translational approaches. State-of-the-art research facilities enable work with a variety of viruses of the risk groups 1-3 in cell culture and animal models.

Within NoVir, TUM will use in vitro and in vivo infection models to assess the broad applicability of ETH47 against various virus families with epidemic and pandemic potential that infect the host via different routes and show distinct tissue tropism and pathogenesis. This will include respiratory viruses, viruses causing hemorrhagic fevers, and contact-transmitted viruses. Furthermore, we will investigate whether ETH47 has potential additive or synergistic effects with existing approved antiviral drugs and its influence on the development of drug resistance.

Founded in 2000, the European Research and Project Office GmbH (EURICE) is one of Europe’s largest project management offices. With more than 25 years of experience, we provide comprehensive support services for managing large-scale research and innovation (R&I) project consortia. Furthermore, EURICE has extensive expertise and a proven track-record in steering collaborative knowledge valorisation and innovation management, including intellectual asset management as well as stakeholder engagement, science communication and public outreach.

We accompany researchers and innovative companies through the entire life cycle of a project – from the first idea to successful project completion – and beyond.

In NoVir, EURICE will assist the consortium in project management and coordination. The team will initiate and drive dissemination and communication activities to ensure broad project visibility. Furthermore, EURICE will advise on IP-related challenges and opportunities.

The Department of Biomedicine at AU, situated within the School of Medicine, brings together fundamental research in innate immunology and viral pathogens with clinically oriented diagnostics and translational approaches. At AU, experimental investigations focusing on herpesviruses are conducted using both cell culture systems and animal models.

Building on this expertise, AU will employ cutting-edge methodologies and both in vitro and in vivo infection models to comprehensively assess the antiviral efficacy of ETH47 against herpesviruses. These viruses, transmitted through multiple routes, are distinguished by diverse tissue tropisms and complex pathogenic mechanisms, which will be systematically explored within the NoVir project.