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

这项小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将侧重于口服白斑综合征病毒（WSSV）抗病毒治疗，用于对虾养殖。这种抗病毒药物是基于RNA抑制或RNAi的概念，并专注于启动虾？这是一种天然的抗病毒机制，可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，第二阶段的研究将集中在测试和优化RNAi抗病毒药物的口服递送，以应对病毒的挑战。本研究结合了对虾类治疗方法的评估和对基于rnai的控制病毒感染方法的理解，以及微胶囊化的专有技术，以提高治疗方法的稳定性和可用性。这项研究的更广泛的影响是解决对虾养殖成功的迫切需要抗病毒治疗。特别是，白斑综合征病毒（WSSV）将成为商业产品的第一个目标。WSSV在大多数虾类生产国流行，每年造成的损失超过15亿美元。这种病毒有可能摧毁整个国家的虾产量，就像本世纪初在厄瓜多尔发生的那样。口服给虾的RNAi疗法可以适用于其他具有经济破坏性的病毒。这种将基于rnai的抗病毒药物口服给虾的技术可能成为水产养殖领域的首个重磅治疗技术。在解决虾病毒感染方面的创新是一个迫切的行业需求，也是一个重要的商业机会。

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.