Midwest AViDD Center Hybrid Lecture Series

Wade Blair, Head of Virology and Vaccine Discovery at AstraZeneca

Discovering Novel Antivirals and the Path to an Approved Drug

Part 1: (HIV Capsid Inhibitors): Despite the availability of highly effective HIV therapies, new inhibitor classes are needed to address adherence challenges and rug resistance in treatment experienced people living with HIV (PLWH). A new HIV-1 capsid inhibitor series (PF-74) was previously discovered that targets a novel small molecule binding pocket on HIV-1 capsid and demonstrates consistent antiviral activity across diverse clinical isolates. The discovery of PF74 enabled the development of Lenacapavir, a long-acting antiviral currently. approved for treatment experienced PLWH.

Part 2: (SARS-CoV-2 mAbs): Multiple monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been developed for the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, new variants of concern emerge globally that escape neutralization by antibody therapeutics. As a result, there remains an unmet need for new mAbs with improved potency and breadth.

The Midwest AViDD Center is rapidly developing antiviral therapeutics for pandemic-level viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Lassa and Zika viruses.

For more information contact Kali Kotoski at kotos001@umn.edu

www.midwestavidd.umn.edu