Scientists at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences have synthesized nonstructural protein 14 (NSP14) (coronavirus) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of coronavirus acute respiratory syndrome.
A peptide with a dual mechanism of action – it dissolves the bacterial membrane and activates the immune system – could be an effective weapon against microorganisms that have evolved ways to evade antibiotics, as superbugs do. Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) have designed stable synthetic peptides that activate mast cell receptors, which are cells involved in the innate and adaptive immune response. This dual approach eliminates bacteria and recruits neutrophils to finish the job.
The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research and Kyoto University have synthesized isoindoline compounds reported to be useful for the treatment of viral infections.
Rhinovirus (RV) infection is among the most common respiratory infections causing exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. The high antigenic diversity of RV is a barrier to the development of effective cross-protective vaccines for RV infection.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a fatal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system caused by lytic infection of oligodendrocytes by pathogenic strains of the JC polyomavirus (JCV). This opportunistic virus has long persisted as a serious threat during periods of immunosuppression, and currently, there is no effective antiviral treatment available.
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) has synthesized antiviral compounds reported to be useful for the treatment of coronavirus acute respiratory syndrome.
Current therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can effectively suppress viral replication but do not achieve a functional or complete cure. Capsid assembly modulators inhibit the assembly of viral capsids, prevent the encapsidation of pregenomic RNA, and interfere with both the formation and amplification of covalently closed circular DNA, which is essential for viral persistence.
The Research Foundation of State University of New York and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have jointly developed prazole-based compounds acting as H+/K+-ATPase inhibitors and thus reported to be useful for the treatment of viral infections.
Arrepath Inc. has patented new UDP-2,3-diacylglucosamine hydrolase (LpxH) (bacterial) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections.