HIV-1 persistence in latent reservoirs of T lymphoid and myeloid origin is a major barrier for the cure of the disease, with complex and multifactorial mechanisms behind HIV-1 latency; thus, investigating these mechanisms is key for future targeted HIV therapies.
Gilead Sciences Inc.’s integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) GS-3242 is in early clinical development for HIV infection (NCT07001319). The company presented nonclinical data on the candidate at the recent CROI meeting in Denver.
CARB-X is awarding $1.2 million to the Andrew G. Myers research group at Harvard University to develop enhanced antibiotics that target multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial pathogens, including Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, to treat urinary tract infections, pneumonia and bloodstream infections.
A new isoform of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) – cancer-associated PCNA (caPCNA) – that is specifically expressed in cancer tissues has been reported. Because cancer cells and HIV-infected cells have similar features, researchers from City of Hope National Medical Center tested the anit-HIV effects of a small-molecule compound, AOH-1996, that targets caPCNA.
Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) target conserved HIV envelope regions to neutralize diverse strains, eliminate infected cells and reduce viral reservoirs, complementing antiretroviral therapy and supporting prevention and functional cure strategies.
Researchers from Synklino A/S have published preclinical data supporting the potential of SYN-002, a targeted antiviral therapy that eliminates human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)‑infected cells by specifically targeting US28, a CMV‑encoded receptor expressed during infection.
The effects of aging pose an additional challenge for people with HIV due to the neurological and psychological consequences that persist despite antiretroviral therapy. At the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) held Feb. 22-25, 2026, in Denver, the scientific community examined how the virus affects the brain, how the reservoir is established in the CNS, and which genetic, immunological or treatment-related factors influence cognitive health.
Researchers from Model Medicines Inc. have presented preclinical efficacy data for MDL-001, a first-in-class, oral non-nucleoside inhibitor that targets an allosteric site in the Thumb-1 domain of the viral polymerase.