Kovina Therapeutics is developing first-in-class antiviral therapeutics that target and inactivate a key HPV protein associated with pre-malignant infections and cancers. This approach aims to provide non-surgical treatment options for the millions of individuals with existing HPV infections that can progress to cancer, addressing a significant gap in current medical therapies.
Funding
$2.3M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Current treatment options for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) related pre-malignant infections and cancers, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, often have significant side effects. The HPV vaccine prevents new infections but does not treat existing infections, leaving a gap in therapeutic options for the millions already infected.
Solution
Kovina Therapeutics is developing antiviral therapeutics designed to target and inactivate a key HPV protein expressed in early, pre-malignant, and cancerous pathologies. These first-in-class, drug-like compounds trigger the death of HPV-infected cells by targeting and inactivating this key protein. Kovina's therapeutics aim to halt HPV infections early, before they progress to cancer, and to treat HPV-related cancers after detection, offering a non-surgical option for patients.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes individuals with existing HPV infections that can progress to cancer, as well as those with HPV-related cancers of the oropharynx, cervix, anal canal, and genitalia.
Features
- Proprietary drug-like compounds target and inactivate a key HPV protein.
- Induces death of HPV infected cells.
- Designed to stop HPV infections early before progression.
- Designed to treat HPV related cancers after detection.
- Compounds show significant anti-tumor activity in xenotransplantation experiments.
- Structure-based drug design combined with medicinal chemistry.
- Development of new biochemical and cellular assays.