Next™ Nuclear Importation Inhibitors

Imhibition of viral nuclear importation is the process by which small molecule inhibitors prevent the translocation of viral genetic material from the cytoplasm of an infected cell to the cell’s nucleus, where integration and replication occur. Nuclear translocation is an established cell trafficking pathway used to transport critical proteins, such as transcription factors and cell cycle regulators, into the nucleus. This process is mediated by two intracellular proteins, called karyopherins (a.k.a. importin) α & β that shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Many viruses, including HIV-1 and HBV, use this established cell trafficking pathway to ensure efficient replication. In most cases, karyopherin α recognises a set of specific amino acid sequences, called the Nuclear Localization Sequence, located on a viral protein associated with the ribonucleoprotein complex. This association of karyopherin α and the specific viral protein is the pivotal step in nuclear translocation and is the molecular target for viral importation Imhibition.

CPSI has developed small-molecule compounds that inhibit viral nuclear importation to target HIV infection. The Company is seeking licensing partners to assist in development of these small-molecule compounds.