molecules of the month

GS-6207 is an HIV-1 inhibitor that acts on the capsid protein monomer (p24), which normally self-assembles in the HIV virion to form the capsid core that is essential for virus infectivity. GS-6207 targets a protein-protein interaction between the small (24 kDa) p24 monomers, binding in a glue-like fashion to two separate monomers, and is able to overcome the high concentration of p24 in a virion (~4 mM!) to inhibit HIV activity with sub-nanomolar potency in cells (20-500 pM). Since the HIV capsid protein is highly conserved among HIV-1 variants, GS-6207 shows high synergy and no cross-resistance with approved anti-HIV agents. GS-6207 was found to be generally safe and well-tolerated in Ph. I and showed evidence of antiviral activity. Amazingly, this…