: We screened a panel of synthetic compounds for inhibition of HIV-1 infection of primary macrophages cultures. Three positive leads ITI-Ol I, ITI-053 and 111-062 were selected and shown to specifically interrupt the binding of isolated pre-integration complexes (PlC) with recombinant karyopherin alpha. In addition, the three compounds inhibited the nuclear importation of the PlC carrying the nascent cDNA as determined by reduction of 2-LTR circle forms of the viral DNA. ITI-011 and ITI-062 were also shown to inhibit infection of primary activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), as well as to abrogate infection of lymphoid tissue blocks in an in vitro histoculture model for HIV-I infection. ITI001 exhibited additive effect when combined with AZT or nelfinavir, and was active against an AZT resistant virus. Preliminary analysis showed that ITI-011 had an in vitro therapeutic index of more than 500 and did not alter primary CD4+ T cell activation at the effective antiviral concentrations. ITI-011 was orally bio-available in rodents, and exhibited little to no acute animal toxicity. Additional pre-clinical characterization of ITI-Ol1, as well as full characterization of ITI-053 and ITI-062 will be pursued in the Phase II SBIR sponsored studies, to determine the optimum lead candidate for initiation of Phase I clinical studies.

Proposed Commercial Applications

Not Available

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44AI047782-03
Application #
6534273
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-AARR (10))
Program Officer
Bridges, Sandra H
Project Start
1999-09-30
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2002-09-01
Budget End
2003-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$1,000,000
Indirect Cost
Name
International Therapeutics, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98122