Projekt

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the causative agent of globally prevalent respiratory tract infections. Treatment options are limited: the standard-of-care consist of support with fluids and oxygen. To address this unmet medical need, the project team aims to develop innovative RSV fusion protein inhibitors with superior potency and resistance-breaking properties. In own preliminary work, the researchers have established an innovative multi-parametric workflow for the lead optimization of differentiated inhibitors. The chemical optimization is informed by structural biology and a phenotypic RSV drug-resistance assay panel. There is a high potential for the development of drugs that evade resistance. This project involves collaborations with a pharmaceutical company, which has discovered an exquisitely potent RSV entry inhibitor with a unique three-fold symmetry matching the homo-trimeric structure of the fusion protein target. Sharing the RSV candidates, expertise and assay capacities of the consortium with the RSV entry inhibitor maximizes the synergies to deliver pre-candidates. The nomination of pre-candidates will be based on a proof-of-concept in a well-established RSV in vivo model.

• Prof. Dr. Thomas Pietschmann

  Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
  TWINCORE - Zentrum für experimentelle und
  klinische Infektionsforschung
  Experimentelle Virologie
  Hannover
  

• Prof. Dr. Gesine Hansen

  Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
  Zentrum Kinderheilkunde und Jugendmedizin
  Klinik für Pädiatrische Pneumologie,
  Allergologie und Neonatologie
  Hannover
  

• Prof. Dr. Thomas Krey

  Universität zu Lübeck
  Institut für Biochemie
  Lübeck
  

• Prof. Dr. Anna K. H. Hirsch

  Helmholtz-Institut für Pharmazeutische
  Forschung Saarland (HIPS)
  Saarbrücken