Discovery of hit molecules targeting allosteric site of hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase.

Nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B), the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), plays a key role in viral amplification and is an attractive and most explored target for discovery of new therapeutic agents for Hepatitis C. Though safe and effective, NS5B inhibitors were launched in 2013 (Sovaldi) and 2014 (Harvoni, Viekira Pak), the high price tags of these medications limit their use among poor people in developing countries. Hence, still there exists a need for cost-effective and short duration anti-HCV agents especially those targeting niche patient population who were non-respondent to earlier therapies or with comorbid conditions.

The drug repurposing landscape from 2012 to 2017: evolution, challenges, and possible solutions.

As the name suggests, drug repurposing is a strategy to identify new therapeutic uses for marketed drugs, discontinued and/or shelved drugs, and drug candidates currently in clinical development. Although not a recent concept, drug repurposing has gained momentum over the past few years and several drugs have been successfully repurposed. Here, we summarize the drug repurposing landscape from 2012 to 2017, with a major focus on repurposed drugs, collaborative opportunities, and funding opportunities specific to drug repurposing projects.

Identification of potential anti-hepatitis C virus agents targeting non structural protein 5B using computational techniques.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that plays a key role in HCV replication, and, hence, NS5B is an attractive target for hepatitis C drug discovery. Hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease affecting the global population significantly. Many NS5B inhibitors targeting active site were launched in recent years, however, still there exists a pressing need for cost-effective therapies with pan genotypic activity and therapies targeting niche HCV population with comorbities and resistant to earlier therapies.