Development of peptide-based antiviral inhibitors against viral and human targets

Single stranded (ss) RNA viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and vector borne flaviviruses are pandemic or large epidemic causing viruses that cause acute viral infections that lead to severe disease in millions of people worldwide. Currently no or few efficient treatments are available against any these viruses.

Indeed, the Covid-19 pandemic highlights how vulnerable we are towards attacks from zoonotic ssRNA viruses and the urgent need for the development of inhibitors against viral targets as well as common human targets of viral interferences.

We have performed large scale screens for peptide-based interactions between human and viral proteins, and uncovered a large number of interactions between.

We have used this information to identify peptides ligands with antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2 as well as a panel of other ssRNA viruses.Here, we propose to further develop peptide-based inhibitors against viral and human targets, and explore the potential of using them in combination.

The expected results is a panel of intellectual property right protected optimized peptidomimetic antiviral agents with validated effects against SARS-CoV-2, and/or other types of ssRNA viruses.

The study will contribute with novel strategies to counteract viral infections and will contribute to our preparedness for the next great pandemic.