Preventing Herpes Simplex Virus Replication with a New Class of Drugs that Act by a Novel Mechanism

SLU ID 19-025| N-hydroxypryridinone inhibitors of HSV replication

Intellectual Property Status

Seeking

  • Patent-ability under review
  • Know-how based
  • Licensee
  • Development partner
  • Commercial partner
  • Investment
  • University spin out

Background

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are members of the human Herpesviridae family. HSV is categorized into two types, both of which are common and contagious. Worldwide an estimated 3.7 billion people under age 50 are infected with HSV-1 and about 417 million people ages 15-49 are infected with HSV-2. Currently available treatments do not cure HSV infections. Additionally, drug resistance is problematic with certain HSV patient populations.

Overview

Researchers at Saint Louis University have developed new derivatives of an N-hydroxypryidinone molecule that act as inhibitors of herpes simplex virus replication. Research is at the hit to lead optimization stage.

Benefits

The potential advantages of this technology over existing solutions include:

  • Minimizing the need for recurring treatment.
  • Increasing the effectiveness of treatments.
  • Minimizing drug resistance.
  • Minimizing toxicity of treatments.

Applications

Potential applications of this technology include treating and curing herpes simplex virus infections.

Opportunity

Saint Louis University is seeking partners to further develop and commercialize this technology.