Compounds Show Promise Against SARS

The lead compound in a series of small molecules has demonstrated inhibition of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) in cell culture at very low concentrations.

In studies, the compound, MX128533, showed no toxic effect on uninfected cells even at the highest concentration tested and was judged to be a highly potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV. The series of compounds will be further evaluated in vitro and in preclinical animal models. The compounds were developed by Maxim Pharmaceuticals (San Diego, CA, USA) and are being evaluated under an agreement with the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to select a potential development candidate.

"We are pleased by the potency and selectivity of the MX128533 series of compounds as they may be more potent and selective than other reported compounds,” said Kurt R. Gehlsen, senior vice president and chief scientific officer of Maxim. "Discovery of the MX128533 series was the result of a focused effort by our chemistry group to examine the structure of the SARS coronavirus and to design and synthesize a series of novel small molecule inhibitors of the virus.” Maxim's lead drug candidate Ceplene is designed to prevent or inhibit oxidative stress, thereby reversing immune suppression and protecting critical immune cells.




Related Links:
Maxim
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases