Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are globally prevalent human pathogens associated with a wide range of diseases, from mild conditions such as herpes labialis (cold sores) to serious infections such as encephalitis and meningitis. HSV can establish a lifelong latent infection in neurons of the peripheral nervous system and can reactivate …Read More >

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death from an infectious disease and is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (GuaB) is an enzyme that performs the rate-limiting step in the de novo biosynthesis of guanine, which is critical for growth of bacteria, including MTB. The development of a novel antibiotic that inhibits GuaB could …Read More >

Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) plays an essential role in human antiviral immunity by recognizing ssRNA of viruses. Upon activation by specific ligands, TLR8 can trigger potent antiviral responses. Development of an in vivo preclinical model has the potential to greatly accelerate research focused on new anti-HBV agents.  However, rodent TLR8 is unresponsive to human TLR8 …Read More >

Viruses have well-established causal roles in numerous human cancers. Approximately 10% of cancers globally are attributed to viral infections, primarily from viruses like HPV, EBV, HBV, and HCV. The innate and adaptive immune systems play important roles in oncogenic viral infection and subsequent cancer development. As viral cancers have viral-specific targets and biomarkers, there is …Read More >

SARS-CoV-2 antivirals which have been clinically approved or are in late-stage development are directed against either the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) or the main protease (Mpro). With the possibility of resistance developing over time, there is a need for additional oral antivirals directed against currently undrugged viral targets. Conserved across coronaviruses, the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease …Read More >

WuXi AppTec scientists contributed to a research article in the journal Nature Microbiology, which characterized a peptidomimetic inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro).  In a human ACE2 transgenic mouse model, this inhibitor (designated RAY1216) exhibited antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2 comparable to those of nirmatrelvir, but with improved pharmacokinetics.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a common cause of respiratory tract infections in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. HMPV is in the Pneumoviridae family along with the more commonly known respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  Currently, there is no specific antiviral therapy to treat HMPV and no vaccine to prevent HMPV. At …Read More >

Capacity Comprehensive virus, bacteria, fungi coverages Supporting drug and vaccine discovery from early research to clinical trials Capability 20+ various viruses Supporting discovery of antivirals and vaccines, including HBV, SARS-CoV, IFV, RSV, HCV, HIV, EV71, herpes, rabies, and other viruses 130+ different bacterial and fungal species Supporting discovery of antibacterial and antifungal therapeutics, including ESKAPE, …Read More >

Cereblon (CRBN) forms an E3 ligase complex together with DDB1, CUL4, and RBX1. CRBN functions as a substrate receptor of this complex for the recognition and binding of proteins targeted for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.  To support the discovery of CRBN-DDB1 proteolysis-targeting chimeras and molecular glues, WuXi AppTec offers an integrated platform of ready-to-go assays …Read More >