RNAi wins an Ebola challenge

A team of North American corporate, academic and military researchers has used RNAi to treat Ebola virus infection in nonhuman primates.¹ With proof of concept in hand, the researchers now hope to carry out additional animal studies to get a better handle on the applicability of the approach in the field.

Ebola, an RNA virus that causes hemorrhagic fever, is highly virulent. Patients present with general flu-like symptoms and rapidly develop severe bleeding and coagulation disorders as well as significant liver damage. At least 50% die from hypovolemic shock 14-21 days postinfection.²...