Development of a novel drug candidate that inhibits hepatitis B virus covalently

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed project aims at developing a novel therapeutic intervention against chronic hepatitis B, which currently remains a significant public health challenge worldwide. We will explore the development of a group of newly identified compounds that inhibit the formation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA, which is not targeted by current available antiviral medications. HBV cccDNA plays a central role in viral infection establishment and persistence, and is the basis for the failure of current antiviral treatments and virus rebound after the cessation of therapy. Therefore the elimination of cccDNA is the ultimate goal in curing HBV infection. Through our efforts to screen an 80,300 small molecule library using an innovative cell-based cccDNA high throughput assay, two structurally related disubstituted-sulfonamides (DSS) were discovered that have dramatic inhibition of cccDNA formation by interfering with the deproteinization of HBV genomic relaxed circular (rc) DNA, which serves as the intermediate precursor for cccDNA. To determine whether Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies are justified, we plan to optimize these compounds, assess their utility against drug resistant infections and in combination with existing drugs in vitro, determine their in vivo characteristics and efficacy, and further study their mechanism of action. Successful completion of our goals will produce at least one new lead to advanced preclinical studies.