Octant Inc. has received a $4.9 million grant from the Gates Foundation to support a new therapeutics program focused on human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers. The initiative will develop affordable, broad-spectrum, small-molecule antiviral drugs designed to disrupt the interaction between hundreds of variants of the HPV E6 protein and the tumor suppressor protein p53.
Work at Emory University has led to the development of peptidomimetic compounds acting as protease (viral) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of viral infections.
Gilead Sciences Inc. has synthesized indoline compounds acting as DNA helicase-primase complex (human herpes simplex virus) and viral replication inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of herpes virus infection.
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.
Human adenovirus may cause severe infections in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent individuals and there is no specific approved therapy for it to date. The incidence may be about 50%-60% in immunocompromised subjects, with mortality rates around 80% in patients with disseminated infections.
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.
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