Hundreds of millions of people are infected with the dengue virus each year. The development of safe vaccines is challenged by a dengue-exclusive phenomenon called antibody-dependent enhancement. Our drug discovery attempts over the last decade focused on the dengue virus protease; an enzyme essential for viral replication in host cells. We have established peptide-based inhibitors featuring boronic acids. These compounds are highly active but offer only limited specificity and bioavailability. The aim of this project is to explore peptide-unrelated small molecules as drug-like alternatives. Boronic acids are frequently used in cross-coupling reactions (Suzuki). Therefore, this project will screen numerous boronic acid derivatives available at the Research School of Chemistry (optional: computational screening of data banks). Screening hits will be modified to generate drug-like inhibitors with anti-dengue activity.

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