New Flavivirus Inhibitors for Treating Infections Such as West Nile and Dengue
Section: For Industry
Categories: "Viruses, Chronic & Infectious Diseases"
Reference #: 2008-035
OTC Contact: Blaine Hackman, Ph.D. (Directory Information | Send a Message)
Description
Georgetown University is seeking a partner interested in the development and commercialization of novel drugs for the treatment of flavivirus infections, including dengue and West Nile. At present there are no drugs or vaccines available that are indicated for the treatment and/or prevention of these diseases. Researchers have discovered a new class of compounds that are useful for the treatment of flavivirus infections. Specific compounds of this invention exhibit significantly greater than 80% inhibition of West Nile virus protease, and thus represent an exciting opportunity to capture a growing disease area that is in dire need of new therapies.
Applications
This technology encompasses small molecule drugs for the treatment and prevention of flavivirus infections in humans, in particular dengue and West Nile.Advantages
- Compounds of the invention offer new therapeutic leads in a disease area that lacks any approved therapies.
- This class of inhibitor compounds has not been previously described in the literature to be inhibitors of West Nile virus protease.
Stage of Development
The compounds of the invention treat patients afflicted by flavivirus infections by inhibiting flavivirus serine protease. Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) analysis has been used to optimize the structures of these compounds. Research is ongoing, including cytotoxicity assays and mammalian cell-based assays.Relevant Publications
No references or resources available.
Patent Status
Patents are currently pending covering both compositions and methods of use
