Unmet Need
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that negatively impacts the immune system, leading to immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to secondary, opportunistic infections and some cancers. It is estimated that 36.7 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV. Presently, HIV has no cure and requires life-long treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) to maintain a low viral load and prevent or delay progression to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). ART is generally comprised of three drugs targeting various stages of the viral life cycle. However, HIV can evolve resistance to one or more of these drugs. Consequently, there remains a great need for new drugs to target the virus.
Technology Overview
Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered an inhibitor for Neutral Sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2) that can be utilized as a novel therapeutic for HIV. This inhibitor interferes with viral assembly and budding from the cellular membrane, which are critical parts of the HIV life cycle and maturation process. The inhibitor demonstrated dose dependent reduction of HIV replication in vitro and also significantly reduced viral load in HIV-infected, humanized mice.
Stage of Development
The inventors have discovered the first HIV viral budding inhibitor that could be used as a novel component of antiretroviral therapy. Further studies will be conducted to determine its efficacy in human patients and its success in conjunction with other antiretroviral drugs already in use.
Publications: Issued Patent 11,759,466
