Orthoflaviruses such as dengue, West Nile and Zika viruses are a threat to public health for which no specific treatments exist. Their protease NS2B-NS3, also called orthoflavivirin, is an attractive drug target because it is essential for virus maturation. Targeting viral proteases has already proven effective for creating drugs against HIV, hepatitis C and SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
Adaptor protein-2 associated kinase 1 (AAK1) is key in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, which diverse viruses hijack in order to infect cells. Inhibiting AAK1 has been shown to block the entry of hepatitis C, dengue and rabies viruses into cells.
Roche Holdings AG received CE mark approval for its Elecsys Dengue Ag test, a fully automated, high-throughput immunoassay to help diagnose acute dengue virus infections. With cases of dengue on the rise worldwide, the test, which delivers results in 18 minutes, offers high sensitivity and specificity across all four dengue virus serotypes, and will help clinicians confidently distinguish dengue from other illnesses causing acute fever.
The envelope (E) proteins of Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) present a high degree of homology, which can lead to cross-reactive antibodies that exacerbate disease through antibody-dependent enhancement. This enormously challenges the development of effective ZIKV vaccines.
Immunoprecise Antibodies Ltd. is advancing its universal dengue vaccine program. Following the discovery and validation of a uniquely conserved dengue epitope using its Lensai platform, the company is now advancing to preclinical manufacturing for in vivo testing and virus neutralization analysis.
CNCCS SCARL Collezione Nazionale Dei Composti Chimici E Centro Screening and IRBM SpA have prepared new serine protease NS3/non-structural protein 2B (NS3/NS2B) (dengue virus) and/or (West Nile virus) and/or (Zika virus) and/or Japanese encephalitis virus inhibitors.
Immunoprecise Antibodies Ltd. has discovered a highly conserved epitope across all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4) using its proprietary Lensai platform powered by its Hyft technology.
National Science & Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has described cordycepin derivatives acting as viral replication inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of viral infections.
Dengue virus (DENV) is a member of the flavivirus family causing dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease that can be life-threatening. Despite DENV’s widespread presence in over 80 countries and the significant health burden posed by the infection, there is still a critical need for therapeutics and vaccines, with current treatment options only providing supportive care.
Dengue virus (DENV) is a member of the flavivirus family causing dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease that can be life-threatening. Despite DENV’s widespread presence in over 80 countries and the significant health burden posed by the infection, there is still a critical need for therapeutics and vaccines, with current treatment options only providing supportive care.