Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has changed the prognosis of HIV-1 infection to a chronic illness that, in most cases, can be managed or controlled. Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) and reverse transcription inhibitors are essential components of ART drug cocktails. In compliant individuals, ART has been found to block viral replication completely. Additionally, blocking viral replication can prevent the emergence of drug resistance.
Researchers at the Retroviral Replication Laboratory of the National Cancer Institute have introduced mutations into the nucleotides encoding the integrase (IN) or reverse transcriptase (RT) of a replication-defective variant of the pNL4.3 HIV-1 vector. The result is a collection of single-round vectors containing mutations in HIV-1 IN or RT. These mutants can be used in single round-infection assays to evaluate potential anti-HIV drugs. The vector collection contains over 140 mutations or a combination of mutations and has been thoroughly tested and validated. This collection is a good research surrogate as the included vectors are safer versions of HIV-1 viruses when compared to those found in patients.
The Retroviral Replication Laboratory of the National Cancer Institute actively seeks parties interested in non-exclusive licensing this collection of vectors. Parties interested in licensing the technology should submit an application for licensing and seek detailed information from the Licensing and Patenting Manager indicated below.