新型コロナウイルス感染症：重症化を抑える新薬の開発に向けた第一歩を

　

Sugar chains are also present on the surface of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

 

We believe that infection mediated by ‘sugar chains’ of the virus may be closely related to ‘severity’ of COVID-19 symptoms.

 

 

 

Some cells with C-type lectins are known to affect innate immunity. Innate immunity is one of the defensive responses that work in an organism to exclude foreign substances when bacteria or viruses enter a living body.

 

With COVID-19, when immune cells, including innate immune system cells (see explanation in the medical terms below), are unable to adapt to the strong proliferation potency of viruses, an excessive inflammatory response arises in the body, which is thought to lead to severe symptoms.

 

Based on these findings and results from our past research, we hypothesize that the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with sugar chains infect cells involved in innate immunity through C-type lectins, and that this may be one of the triggers for severe symptoms.
 

We have already started research to verify this hypothesis.

We strongly believe that, if we can verify this hypothesis, we are a step closer to realizing the development of inhibitors to limit severity of the disease. As of now, there is no therapeutic drug that focuses on the relationship between sugar chains and lectins to reduce severity of the symptoms.

 

Coronavirus infections are still on the rise today and we don’t know when this pandemic will end. Therefore, there is a need to proceed with this research with haste. With your support, we are able to move further on with the research. The faster we can advance our research, the closer we will be to developing a new therapeutic drug that will save as many lives as possible.
 

 

 

 

The ultimate aim of this research project is to develop a new inhibitor to reduce the severity of COVID-19, and we are currently in the basic research stage.

Funds raised through this crowdfunding campaign will enable us to identify ‘sugar chains’ and ‘lectins’ involved in severe COVID-19 and to conduct a one-year research into reproducing the process of severe cases in vitro.

 

 

If we can demonstrate the above, we will be able to move on to verification experiments using virus derived from specimens as well as exploratory research for inhibitors.

*These development research projects are not part of this crowdfunding campaign.

 

*If the first stage goes smoothly and we achieve our goal within a year, we will proceed to the next stage.
*However, in order to implement this stage, there will be further issues to be overcome, such as seeking new collaborative partners and obtaining approvals. For these reasons, there is a possibility that the period of research may be extended significantly. 
*Please be aware that there is a possibility that the research is either reviewed or suspended if we encounter unexpected consequence.
 

 

Developing a new drug is not easy.
But, we will give it a go in the hope of helping as many people as possible.

 

Currently, various therapeutic drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 are being researched and developed around the world.

Clinical trials for existing therapeutic drugs are also being carried out. Each of these drugs has a different working mechanism. The working mechanism of the inhibitor we would like to develop is different from all these other potential therapeutic drugs.

Developing a new drug is not easy. It requires many years and much research funding. Our goal may be a long way off and may not be in time to treat SARS-CoV-2. 

 

However, the findings from our research can help patients around the world who are suffering from COVID-19. We believe that continuing this research will, however little, be a step forward in developing the scientific body of knowledge that can combat this and future viruses. 
 

 

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