SBIR Phase I: Novel Microencapsulation for Oral Delivery of Antiviral dsRNA to Shrimp

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将专注于口服治疗对虾水产养殖中使用的白斑综合症病毒(WSSV)的抗病毒治疗。这种抗病毒药物基于核糖核酸抑制的概念，专注于启动对虾S天然的抗病毒机制，以沉默感染病毒的关键基因，从而防止病毒感染的传播。如果第一阶段的概念验证成功，第二阶段的研究将专注于测试和优化RNAi抗病毒药物的口服给药，以应对病毒挑战。这项研究结合了评估对虾疗法的专业知识和对基于RNAi的病毒感染控制方法的了解，以及微胶囊的专利技术，以提高治疗的稳定性和可用性。这项研究的更广泛影响是解决成功的对虾水产养殖对抗病毒治疗的迫切需求。特别是，白斑综合症病毒(WSSV)将成为商业化产品的第一目标。WSSV在大多数对虾生产国是地方病，每年造成超过15亿美元的损失。这种病毒可能会摧毁整个国家的虾产量，就像本世纪初厄瓜多尔的情况一样。对虾口服RNAi疗法可以针对其他具有经济破坏性的病毒进行调整。这种以RNAi为基础的抗病毒药物口服给虾的技术可能是水产养殖中第一个轰动一时的治疗方法。在应对对虾病毒感染方面，存在着迫切的行业需求和重大的商业机会。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will focus on oral delivery of an antiviral treatment for White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)for use in shrimp aquaculture. This antiviral is based on the concept of RNA inhibition, or RNAi, and is focused on priming the shrimp?s natural antiviral machinery to silence critical genes of the infecting virus, thus preventing spread of viral infection. If successful in proof of concept in Phase I, Phase II research will focus on testing and optimizing oral delivery of RNAi antivirals in response to viral challenges. This research is combines expertise in evaluating therapeutics for shrimp and understanding of RNAi-based approaches for controlling viral infections, with the proprietary technologies for micro-encapsulation to enhance stability and availability of therapeutics.The broader impacts of this research are to address the dire need for antiviral treatments for successful shrimp aquaculture. In particular, White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) will be the first target for a commercial product. WSSV is endemic in the majority of shrimp producing countries, and causes losses of over $1.5 billion annually. The virus can potentially destroy the shrimp output of an entire country as it did in Ecuador in the early part of the century. The oral delivery of RNAi therapeutics to shrimp could be adapted to target other economically damaging viruses. Such technologies for oral delivery of RNAi-based antivirals to shrimp could be the first blockbuster therapeutic in aquaculture. There is a desperate industry need, and a significant commercial opportunity, for innovation in addressing shrimp viral infections.