Amid the first reports of H1N1 resistance to existing antiviral drugs, scientists in Japan are highlighting a first-of-its kind discovery that could foster a new genre of antivirals that sidestep current resistance problems. The research is reported in a paper scheduled to be published in the July 23 issue of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

Toshinori Sato and colleagues note in the new study that current antiviral drugs, including Tamiflu and Relenza, fight influenza by blocking key proteins that viruses need to reproduce. As the viruses reproduce, however, they can mutate into drug-resistant strains.

The researchers describe the discovery of a new way to prevent flu viruses from infecting cells in the first place. They identified potential drugs that can block the first step in the infection process, and demonstrated that the substances work in cell cultures.

These results may lead to a new approach in the design of antiviral drugs.

The full paper ‘Inhibition of Influenza Virus Infections by Sialylgalactose-Binding Peptides Selected from a Phage Library’ is available online now and can be read here.

•Date: 16th July 2009• Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: Pandemic planning
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