Development of the hepatitis C virus p7 ion channel as a therapeutic target

Lead Applicant

Dr Stephen Griffin

Project Summary

This proposal will combine expertise in virology and medicinal chemistry to develop an anti-viral drug target with excellent potential benefit to public health. The applicants identified the ion channel function of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) p7 protein in 2002/3 and have since validated prototype p7-specific compounds as a means of blocking virus spread. The work to date has generated key breakthroughs which, together with medicinal chemistry technologies, will permit the translation of this therapeutic target from the laboratory to full drug development.