TARGETING INFLUENZA-VIRUS NEURAMINIDASE - A NEW STRATEGY FOR ANTIVIRAL THERAPY

Influenza virus infection causes substantial morbidity and mortality w orldwide, but current options for control are limited. Although major advances have been made in antiviral therapy of infections such as her pes and HIV, a 'magic bullet' for influenza has proved elusive. The in fluenza neuraminidase enzyme is an attractive target for antiviral int ervention, its active site is antigenically conserved in all clinicall y relevant strains and is critical to viral replication. The authors c onsider the subject of neuraminidase inhibition and discuss, in partic ular, the development of the oral agent Ro640796 (GS4104). The concept of neuraminidase inhibition is likely to lead to a major breakthrough in the control of influenza.