Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Iminosugar Compounds for Flaviviruses
PAGE SUMMARY
Flaviviruses are enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses that are typically transmitted to humans by mosquitos or ticks. West Nile virus, Hepatitis B virus, Zika virus, yellow fever, and dengue viruses are all flaviviruses. Despite flaviviruses’ prevalence of infection, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas, with hundreds of millions infected by this family of viruses worldwide annually and half of the world’s population at risk for infection, there is a lack of effective pharmaceutical therapy. Mosquito control is the primary defense against flaviviruses.
Researchers in Drexel University’s Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute have designed, synthesized, and tested in vitro new designs of iminocyclitol compounds to generate a novel broad-spectrum antiviral molecule against flaviviruses. More specifically in the molecule, the iminosugar inhibits the cellular glucosidase, interfering with glycoprotein processing and viral morphogenesis during the viral life cycle. The side chain of an existing iminosugar was modified to increase the spectrum of activity against flaviviruses.
APPLICATIONS
TITLE: Applications
Antiviral compound development for treatment against flaviviruses
Combination therapy with existing drugs, such as interferon
Establishment of protective immune response to flaviviruses
Structural modifications to existing compounds in development
ADVANTAGES
TITLE:Advantages
Improved antiviral activity from existing iminosugar compounds
Broad-spectrum antiviral against Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus, West Nile virus, and Hepatitis B virus
Reduced toxicity of previous generations of iminocyclitol compounds
IP STATUS
Intellectual Property and Development Status
United States Issued Patent- 8,097,728
https://patents.google.com/patent/US8097728B2/en
United States Issued Patent -9,040,488
https://patents.google.com/patent/US9040488B2/en
United States Issued Patent- 9,126,937
https://patents.google.com/patent/US9126937B2/en
PUBLICATIONS
References
Chang J. et al. Imino sugar glucosidase inhibitors as broadly active anti-filovirus agents. Emerging Microbes and Infections, 2013, 2, e77.
http://www.nature.com/emi/journal/v2/n11/full/emi201377a.html
Gu B. et al. Antiviral profiles of novel iminocyclitol compounds against Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus, and Hepatitis B Virus. Antiviral Chemistry & Chemotherapy, 2007, 18(1), p. 49-59.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6451831_Antiviral_Profiles_of_Novel_Iminocyclitol_Compounds_against_Bovine_Viral_Diarrhea_Virus_West_Nile_Virus_Dengue_Virus_and_Hepatitis_B_Virus
Contact Information:
Sarah Johnson, Ph.D.
Licensing Manager
215-571-4291
sarah.a.johnson@drexel.edu