Broad spectrum antiviral compounds for treatment of infection caused by enveloped viruses

This technology relates to broad spectrum antiviral compounds for treatment of infection caused by enveloped viruses. The compounds are fusions molecules of a phospholipase and a viral binding polypeptide. The subject technology requires the phospholipase component of the antiviral compound to have enzymatic activity, whereas previous studies demonstrating antiviral activity of some phospholipases did not require enzymatic activity. The compounds described by the current technology are not necessarily virus or viral strain specific, unlike many currently available antiviral compounds. The antiviral activity of the compounds has been demonstrated in vitro with representative viruses pseudotyped with envelope proteins from Ebola, HIV, Marburg, and VSV. Additionally, the antiviral activity was demonstrated with wild type HIV. The potential broad application of these compounds could address a significant health need for effective antivirals.

U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/775,666 filed 21 Feb 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-013-2006/0-US-01) Inventors: Gary J. Nabel and Jae Ouk Kim (NIAID)

Licensees sought. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize treatments or vaccines against infections caused by enveloped viruses. Please contact Anna Z. Amar at 301/451-3525 and/or aamar@niaid.nih.gov for more information.