And this is a type of double-stranded RNA that binds to target genes
on the virus, and silences them through a process known as enzymatic cleavage.
And it specifically cleaves and destroys the messenger RNA of the virus.
And in this product they have two species, or two types of siRNA products,
that target two different genes to help stop the replication of the Ebola virus.
And this has been studied now in monkeys that have been infected with Ebola and
demonstrated high rates of survival when the monkeys have been treated
within 72 hours of them being infected.
It has, in addition, now been used in a few patients in the United States and
Europe who have been evacuated from West Africa.
And, there is an on, there is preparation for a trial that
will start soon in West Africa, again, to determine to determine the efficacy
of this medication in Ebola-infected individuals.
The next product is Favipiravir, or T-705.
It's a product from Toyama, Chemicals.
And it was initially developed as a broad-spectrum antiviral,
as it inhibits viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
And this was initially tested against influenza viruses, but
since that time has also been tested over a slew of other viruses such as
flaviviruses, arenaviruses and enteroviruses, in addition to many others.
And recently, there was a trial in Guinea in West Africa,
known as the JIKA trial, and in that trial