Red Queen: A new approach to viral fusion proteins

Launched in August with $55 million from Apple Tree Partners and a BARDA contract to develop a pan-influenza therapy, Red Queen aims to overcome the efficacy and stability problems of past programs targeting viral fusion proteins.

Red Queen Therapeutics Inc. is developing small molecules that inhibit viral fusion to stop entry into host cells, an approach it's applying to at least four viral families. Its lead program for COVID-19 is nearing Phase II, while the others, including the pan-influenza program, are preclinical...