PeptiVir taking on cancer and flu proteins

A biotech company based at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora is working on a vaccine platform that could have major implications for a wide range of patients.

PeptiVir’s four researchers are working on creating “cross-protective” antibodies that could potentially protect people against the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza, HIV, Ebola and coronaviruses such as SARS.

Each of these viruses shares a common feature. They have a surface protein that binds the cells to the host and an infusion protein that infects the host. The problem is that the binding proteins undergo a lot of mutations, making it difficult…