Developing next-generation HIV antivirals
A human cell (blue) under attack by HIV (yellow), the virus that causes AIDS. Courtesy of the National Institutes of Health
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) remains a global public health threat. With no cure yet available, there is a need to continually innovate and develop new drugs that block the drug-resistant virus and provide new options for individuals running out of treatment options.
The Burnet Institute, in collaboration with MIPS, received Proof of Concept (PoC) funding from BioCurate to develop next-generation HIV antivirals.
The multi-disciplinary research team, led jointly by Burnet’s Head of Life Sciences, Professor Gilda Tachedjian, and leading medicinal chemist Dr David Chalmers from MIPS, has identified a novel HIV target - or a new way to attack HIV. The Burnet Institute brings 25 years of HIV virology and antivirals experience, while Monash offers a unique fragment-based drug design methodology. With the financial support and therapeutic development expertise of BioCurate, the team will validate the target and further progress the development of drug candidates.
These novel HIV therapeutics could potentially safeguard HIV therapy for the next generation.
“This PoC award is the result of a long-standing collaboration between MIPS and the Burnet,” said Dr Chalmers. “Together, the team will target a protein in the HIV replication cycle that will stop the virus from reproducing. We are grateful to BioCurate for their support for this promising project which we hope can improve the lives of people living with HIV.”
