Selective AAK1 inhibitors

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Summary  Researchers at Stanford have developed kinase inhibitors that could be used as broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics to treat emerging viruses, such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Ebola. These viruses are a major threat to global human health and, currently, there are no effective vaccines for prevention or therapeutics for treatment. Most antiviral drugs act against a specific viral protein and thus only work against one virus. It would be highly beneficial to have a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that could be used to treat many viruses. To help meet this need, the inventors are developing selective, potent inhibitors of the host cell kinases AAK1 and GAK (two kinases that are critical for the life cycle of multiple viruses). Stage of research The inventors have shown that their compounds inhibit Dengue infection in culture. Additional optimization and development of the lead compounds is ongoing. Applications Broad- spectrum antiviral; can be used to treat: Dengue Chikungunya Ebola Prophylactic to: Prevent community outbreaks Prevent infection in travelers or military personnel going to endemic countries Advantages Solves an unmet medical need- provides a broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutic for use against emerging viruses These novel inhibitors are more selective- minimize unwanted side effects Could be used prophylactically Potentially fills a gap in public health capabilities