The overarching goal of this application is to identify inhibitors of norovirus 3C-like protease (3CLpro) as effective antiviral and prophylactic agents against noroviruses, the main causative agents of acute viral gastroenteritis. Noroviruses constitute an important public health problem as well as a potential bioterrorism threat. Currently there is no specific preventive or therapeutic measure against norovirus infections. Vaccine development for noroviruses faces several challenges including viral diversity and short-term immunity; consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of effective anti-noroviral drugs. We have initiated a norovirus research program aimed at developing small molecule therapeutics for the treatment and/or prevention of norovirus infections. Toward that end, we have identified a series of transition state inhibitors of norovirus 3CLpro and have demonstrated that the viral enzyme is a validated target for the development of anti-norovirus drugs. The inhibitors were characterized for antiviral activity against noroviruses and related caliciviruses, mechanism of action, X-ray crystallography, viral resistance, preliminary absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion properties, tolerability, and oral availability in rats. Moreover, a protease inhibitor in the series was shown to be effective in the gnotobiotic pig model of norovirus infection. These results provide strong support for our working hypothesis that norovirus 3CLpro is a validated druggable viral target for the discovery of small molecule anti-norovirus therapeutics and prophylactics. The series of compounds are suitable for further optimization; consequently, we propose to embark on an optimization campaign that encompasses basic and applied studies and optimally integrates the deployment and utilization of multiple tools and methodologies to identify preclinical candidates. The ultimate long term goal of this program is the development of antiviral therapeutics against norovirus infection by advancing a drug candidate through the stage of filing for an investigational new drug (IND) application.

Public Health Relevance

There is currently an urgent and unmet need for the discovery and development of antiviral therapeutics for the treatment of norovirus infection which constitutes an important health problem as well as a potential bioterrorism threat. We are currently engaged in a lead optimization campaign aimed at advancing these series of compounds to a preclinical drug candidate, which will have a significant impact on norovirus research and public health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI109039-04
Application #
9210043
Study Section
Drug Discovery and Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance Study Section (DDR)
Program Officer
Alarcon, Rodolfo M
Project Start
2014-02-01
Project End
2019-01-31
Budget Start
2017-02-01
Budget End
2018-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$734,295
Indirect Cost
$60,000
Name
Kansas State University
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
929773554
City
Manhattan
State
KS
Country
United States
Zip Code
66506
Kim, Yunjeong; Chang, Kyeong-Ok (2018) Protein disulfide isomerases as potential therapeutic targets for influenza A and B viruses. Virus Res 247:26-33
Damalanka, Vishnu C; Kim, Yunjeong; Galasiti Kankanamalage, Anushka C et al. (2018) Structure-guided design, synthesis and evaluation of oxazolidinone-based inhibitors of norovirus 3CL protease. Eur J Med Chem 143:881-890
Galasiti Kankanamalage, Anushka C; Kim, Yunjeong; Damalanka, Vishnu C et al. (2018) Structure-guided design of potent and permeable inhibitors of MERS coronavirus 3CL protease that utilize a piperidine moiety as a novel design element. Eur J Med Chem 150:334-346
Pedersen, Niels C; Kim, Yunjeong; Liu, Hongwei et al. (2018) Efficacy of a 3C-like protease inhibitor in treating various forms of acquired feline infectious peritonitis. J Feline Med Surg 20:378-392
Kim, Yunjeong; Oh, Changin; Shivanna, Vinay et al. (2017) Trypsin-independent porcine epidemic diarrhea virus US strain with altered virus entry mechanism. BMC Vet Res 13:356
Damalanka, Vishnu C; Kim, Yunjeong; Galasiti Kankanamalage, Anushka C et al. (2017) Design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel series of macrocyclic inhibitors of norovirus 3CL protease. Eur J Med Chem 127:41-61
Damalanka, Vishnu C; Kim, Yunjeong; Alliston, Kevin R et al. (2016) Oxadiazole-Based Cell Permeable Macrocyclic Transition State Inhibitors of Norovirus 3CL Protease. J Med Chem 59:1899-913
Kim, Yunjeong; Kankanamalage, Anushka C Galasiti; Damalanka, Vishnu C et al. (2016) Potent inhibition of enterovirus D68 and human rhinoviruses by dipeptidyl aldehydes and ?-ketoamides. Antiviral Res 125:84-91
Lu, Zhongyan; Yokoyama, Masaru; Chen, Ning et al. (2016) Mechanism of Cell Culture Adaptation of an Enteric Calicivirus, the Porcine Sapovirus Cowden Strain. J Virol 90:1345-58
Galasiti Kankanamalage, Anushka C; Weerawarna, Pathum M; Kim, Yunjeong et al. (2016) Anti-norovirus therapeutics: a patent review (2010-2015). Expert Opin Ther Pat 26:297-308

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