PROPOSED TITLE: ACE2+ Exosomes for COVID-19 Decoy Therapy

NU NUMBER NU 2020-145

INVENTORS

• Deyu Fang*
• Huiping Liu*
• Andrew Hoffmann
• Emma June Schuster
• Lamiaa El-Shennawy
• Nurmaa Dashzeveg

SHORT DESCRIPTION

This invention provides exosomes loaded with ACE2 protein or viral antigen-specific IgGs for treatment of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed the need for effective therapies. Current treatment strategies face challenges with specificity and broad-spectrum efficacy, especially against emerging variants. High costs and limited treatment durability drive the need for innovative approaches.

ABSTRACT

Northwestern researchers engineered exosomes expressing ACE2+ or viral antigen-specific IgGs from human cell lines to act as a decoy for SARS-CoV-2 by binding its spike protein RBD. Exosomesachieved viral neutralization using far fewer molecules compared to soluble ACE2. The technology maintains the native transmembrane conformation of ACE2, extends plasma half-life, and supports loading with antiviral agents like remdesivir. This decoy therapy may address a range of coronaviruses that utilize ACE2 for cell entry.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE

TRL-4 - Prototype Validated in Lab: Key functions have been demonstrated in laboratory-scale prototypes using engineered human cell lines and in vitro neutralization assays.

APPLICATIONS

• Treat COVID-19: Utilizes exosomal ACE2 or viral antigen-specific IgGs to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ADVANTAGES

• Enhanced neutralization capacity: Achieves viral blockade at significantly lower ACE2 molecule counts compared to soluble ACE2.
• Extended plasma half-life: Maintains full-length transmembrane structure for targeted lung delivery.
• Versatile platform: Supports the co-delivery of antiviral RNA-analogs like remdesivir.
• Broad coronavirus coverage: Functions as a decoy therapy for multiple ACE2-utilizing coronaviruses including emerging strains.

PUBLICATIONS

• El-Shennawy et al. Circulating ACE2-expressing extracellular vesicles block broad strains of SARS-CoV-2, Nature Communications, 2022.

IP STATUS

US Patent Pending (US20240398910A1)