Based on our proposed "pseudosubstrate envelope" concept, 25 benzothiazole-bearing HIV capsid protein (CA) modulators were designed and synthesized under the guidance of free energy perturbation technology. The most potent compound, , exhibited an EC of 2.69 nM against HIV-1, being 393 times more potent than the positive control PF74. Notably, emerged as the highest ligand efficiency (LE = 0.32) HIV CA modulator, surpassing that of the approved drug lenacapavir (LE = 0.21). Surface plasmon resonance assay and crystallographic analysis confirmed that targeted HIV-1 CA within the chemical space of the "pseudosubstrate envelope". Further mechanistic studies revealed a dual-stage inhibition profile: disrupted early-stage capsid-host-factor interactions and promoted late-stage capsid misassembly. Preliminary pharmacokinetic evaluations demonstrated significantly improved metabolic stability in human liver microsomes for ( = 91.3 min) compared to PF74 ( = 0.7 min), alongside a favorable safety profile. Overall, presents a promising lead compound for further optimization.
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