Antiviral Drug Discovery: Ten More Compounds, and Ten More Stories (Part B)

This review article that complements the previous review article on The discovery of,antiviral agents: ten different compounds, tell different stories presents ten more compounds and ten more stories in which I have been closely involved at one or another point of my scientific career: (i) interferon (IFN) (in particular, IFN-beta); (ii) poly(I)center dot poly(C); (iii) suramin; (iv) novel acyclic nucleoside phosphonates; (v) the double prodrug of [9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)guanine]; (vi) cyclic nucleoside phosphonates; (vii) picornavirus inhibitors; (viii) human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-receptor inhibitors; (ix) nonimmunosuppressive cyclosporin A analogues; and (x) bicyclic (furanopyrimidine) nucleoside analogues. With tile exception of tile HIV co-receptor CCR5 inhibitor none of the compounds described here have already been marketed (for the indication they were initially developed). Successful antiviral drug development depends oil the interplay of three disciplines, chemistry, biology/ medicine, and industry, crucial factors being open mindedness for the unexpected, preparedness to explore serendipitous observations, and perseverance (in trying) to overcome the hurdles or setbacks inevitably compounding any drug development. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 29, No. 4, 571-610, 2009.