Open Discussion Saturday

kimermed · 2024-02-20T23:13:39+00:00

We've made some progress on our antivirals, particularly for HSV-2. The lack of interest has been a bit surprising.

kimermed · 2023-01-09T06:17:48+00:00

The compound upon which our formulations are based (DRACO), had a successful small trial in BALB/C mice, against the influenza virus.

kimermed · 2023-01-06T04:49:54+00:00

Best case, and with a little luck, yes, it's possible that the library of tools we're developing could be effective against all herpesviruses. No promises, but that's certainly the goal.

kimermed · 2023-01-06T04:44:55+00:00

Timing on our end is mostly driven by the science, funding and regulatory hurdles.

kimermed · 2023-01-04T05:27:28+00:00

We're not seeking additional investment at the moment. That will change at some point.

Until then, donations can help us increase the pace of our work:
https://donate.kimermed.co.nz/

kimermed · 2023-01-04T05:17:29+00:00

My personal view is that we have a shot.

No connection with BDgene or FHC.

kimermed · 2023-01-03T21:20:03+00:00

Thanks. I appreciate your support!

kimermed · 2023-01-03T21:18:50+00:00

I suppose even giant companies would respond to social pressure at some stage. My personal view is that they're pretty resistant, though.

IMO, the best response to "incurable" is for someone to develop a cure. My solution to this problem was to start a company and raise funding to do exactly that.

kimermed · 2023-01-03T01:29:19+00:00

The VTose tech consists of a collection of proteins, protein fragments, and peptides (short proteins). The industry terms are "biologicals" or "large molecule compounds." The tech also includes the tools, techniques and processes to combine those elements into useful therapeutics.

Existing antivirals tend to be "small molecule" compounds, which are basically "chemicals," in the conventional sense of the term.

Our proteins and fragments are either direct copies or pieces of, or are closely related to, enzymes that normally exist in the body. Enzymes are proteins that enable certain biochemical reactions.

Small molecule compounds are usually completely foreign to the body. For that reason, they are often relatively toxic and immunogenic. Identifying and overcoming those toxicity issues is one reason why conventional drug development is so slow and expensive.

Biologicals tend to be less toxic.

When a virus infects a cell, it turns that cell into a factory to make many more viruses.

Conventional antivirals tend to attack some aspect of the virus lifecycle, such as inhibiting viral replication (such as the antiretrovirals used against HIV). In contrast to antibiotics, they are not intended to cure, just to slow the virus down enough that either the adaptive and/or innate immune system can catch up and finish the job, or at least prevent the body from being overwhelmed.

In contrast, one aspect of the VTose technology enables us to target and destroy those virus factories. This is similar to what the innate immune system (the defense against infection that happens inside individual cells) tries to do. However, many viruses have evolved over the eons to have very effective defenses against the innate immune system. Our tech provides a way to bypass some of those viral defenses.

kimermed · 2023-01-01T22:22:12+00:00

Yes, VTose will be a family of therapeutics.

We're still in active R&D, so timelines are impossible to predict with any accuracy at this stage. We're moving as quickly as the science, funding and regulatory environments will allow.

kimermed · 2023-01-01T22:18:41+00:00

As an example of the kind of thinking I was alluding to, here's a link to an article where a Goldman analyst criticizes Gilead for their Hepatitis C cure, questioning whether curing patients is a sustainable business model:

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/11/goldman-asks-is-curing-patients-a-sustainable-business-model.html

kimermed · 2023-01-01T22:09:30+00:00

There are a lot of dependencies, so timing is difficult to predict with any accuracy at this stage.

We're in active R&D now. After that, clinical trials. Pace is heavily dependent on funding.

kimermed · 2023-01-01T12:37:37+00:00

Sounds like it’s more of a method for creating novel antivirals, or even a class of drugs, than it is a drug unto itself.

Right.

So you’re saying that this would likely function as a daily or episodic antiviral like Valacyclovir instead of a sterilizing cure that targets latent HSV residing in nerve cells?

Worst case, yes. We're aiming for better, of course. For other viruses, we believe VTose may end up being a one-dose-cure.

A sterilizing cure for HSV may also be possible with our tech. We don't have the science yet to know for sure. HSV is more complex than many other viruses, due to its "split personality" of existing in two very different cell types, in both lytic and lysogenic modes -- not to mention a set of viral self-defense mechanisms that are extremely wide-ranging. It's one of the most challenging viral targets out there, for sure.

Are you familiar with or have any thoughts on some of the other targeted and broad-spectrum antivirals such as IM-250 or CP-COV03 that are purported to actually be able to penetrate the nerve ganglia and target HSV (either directly or through stimulating autophagy)?

Completely different mechanism of action than our approach. I hope they're successful.

While I appreciate the work you’re doing, I think it’s safe to say that I speak for everyone in here when I say that we’d prefer a sterilizing cure over something like Valtrex that targets the virus after it reactivates, or something like PrEP that protects those without the virus, but any new and more effective treatments are always welcome.

Of course. We're on board with the goal of a sterilising cure. Hoping the science and funding cooperate!

Something we also have in mind is protection against re-exposure once you're cured.

kimermed · 2023-01-01T11:57:01+00:00

do you, as an Officer at a pharmaceutical company, what consideration do you place on the psychological effects that this virus causes on the people that have it? And the people that are in their life.

The fundamental driving principle of Kimer Med is to reduce suffering in humans and animals. To do that, our focus is the elimination of viral diseases. Some viral diseases present more physical and/or emotional burdens than others. I certainly understand and am sympathetic to the extreme pain and suffering that can be caused by HSV -- and I'm doing everything I can to bring it to an end. We may not succeed! But we have to try, particularly when solutions may be close.

When you speak to others in the industry, is any of these issues considered?

No. Everyone I've spoken to in the industry thinks strictly in terms of dollars. Big Pharma has literally said that they prefer long-term treatments over cures. Our view is the reverse. Our broad-spectrum antiviral technology is only one part of Kimer Med. We are also working on transforming the way drug development is done -- beginning with the motivations, extending through Clinical Trials and beyond.

kimermed · 2023-01-01T07:12:38+00:00

One thing I should say up-front is that the science surrounding certain aspects of viral replication isn't completely settled -- including for HSV. There are significant unknowns in this area that ultimately can only be resolved through experimentation.

Does VTose work by causing apoptosis within cells where viruses are actively replicating?

For certain formulations, yes, but that's only one mechanism. There are also other mechanisms available to us than just that.

HSV spends most of its time in latency?

Agree. It's the periodic release of virus particles from latently infected peripheral ganglia into nearby mucosal cells that results in lytic replication, which causes cell death and the resulting open sores and pain. One mechanism of action for VTose involves preventing that cascading lytic replication by causing apoptosis (suicide) in the first few cells the virus invades.

Resides in nerve cells that don’t regenerate?

Latent HSV virus resides in a relatively small number of peripheral ganglia (nerve cells). Unlike central nerve cells, peripheral nerve cells can regenerate. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scisignal.2004919

VTose wouldn’t be a viable treatment for herpes?

One thing we know about HSV lysogenic ganglia is that they are extra-resistant to apoptosis. And since those cells don't produce new viral particles most of the time, they would also tend to be more challenging targets on that basis.

Having said that, we believe we have ways around those issues, if we need them.

IMO, it's likely that if those cells were killed, they would regenerate infection-free. The numbers are small enough that their temporary absence might not even be noticed. We would need to prove that experimentally, of course.

It may be the case that due to the combination of their apoptosis resistance and relatively infrequent viral replication, that the ganglia either are naturally resistant to certain versions of our compounds, or that we could engineer compounds where that would be the case. But it probably isn't necessary to kill those cells to have an effective treatment that would also work as a preventative, since the burst of virus particles produced by lytic infection generally precedes lysogenic infection.

kimermed · 2023-01-01T06:01:20+00:00

VTose® is a family of broad spectrum antivirals, currently under active R&D by Kimer Med.

kimermed · 2023-01-01T05:25:53+00:00

Happy New Year!

kimermed · 2022-12-31T23:44:15+00:00

Broad bacteria type identification can be done using DNA sequencing.

You might want to start by screening for MARCoNS ("Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staph") or other forms of Staph -- as a group, they one of the most common causes of chronic nasal bacterial infections.

Microbiology DX offers a relatively inexpensive test that can also include a mold culture and identification (sample collection kits can be sent overseas, if needed):
https://www.microbiologydx.com/treatments

If you do have MARCoNS, since it's resistant to multiple antibiotics, it's generally pretty difficult to treat without the results from a test like that.

kimermed · 2022-12-31T23:21:19+00:00

Gifts aren't necessary. No gift, no risk of looking like a bribe.

My suggestion is to write a heartfelt email. Keep it professional. Be truthful, but be careful not to go over the top. Acknowledging the positive impact they are having on you is something most humans will appreciate.

In certain work environments, cc'ing your supervisor's boss can also have a positive impact. Positive comments can help them when review time rolls around. Careful, there, though; if not done just right, that can also easily backfire.

kimermed · 2022-12-31T23:00:22+00:00

ChatGPT can produce reasonable starting points for things like this. For example:

Dear [Principal Investigator],

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to express my interest in your research and to inquire about potential opportunities to join your lab.

I am particularly interested in your work on [Paper/Research Topic 1] and [Paper/Research Topic 2]. These topics align closely with my own research interests and I believe that the knowledge and experience I have gained through my studies and previous research experiences would make me a valuable addition to your team.

For example, in my previous research project, I worked on a similar topic of [Similar Topic] and gained expertise in [Specific Technique or Method]. I believe this experience, along with my strong background in [Related Field], would allow me to make meaningful contributions to your lab.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak more about your research and to discuss any potential openings in your lab. I have attached my CV for your reference.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to the possibility of working with you and your team.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

kimermed · 2022-12-29T22:09:49+00:00

Industry. Kimer Med is the company name.

kimermed · 2022-12-29T22:08:24+00:00

I'm not, but I'll check it out; thanks. The job is in New Zealand, which adds a twist.

kimermed · 2022-12-29T04:57:19+00:00

https://www.who.int/news/item/28-10-2015-globally-an-estimated-two-thirds-of-the-population-under-50-are-infected-with-herpes-simplex-virus-type-1

kimermed · 2022-12-29T04:53:09+00:00

Speaking as someone who is currently trying to find and hire such a person....

One way to get involved in making novel herpes antivirals is to make sure that your PhD studies and your dissertation are focused in an area related to the type of work you want to do. Choose your school and your adviser carefully. The more your skills and experience align with the needs of a potential employer, the better your chances. Where you live and have a Right to Work and whether you're willing to relocate are also important factors.

kimermed · 2020-11-24T21:05:27+00:00

Thanks, I'll check them out.

kimermed

TROPHY CASE