Antiviral Peptide Against Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infectious disease that is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV causes a variety of liver-related diseases in humans including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is estimated that 150-200 million people worldwide are infected with HCV. Presently, there is no vaccine against HCV.

Currently, options for treating HCV involve the administration of interferon alone or in combination with the antiviral agent Ribavirin. However, these treatments fail to achieve a sustained virological response in the majority of patients, thus emphasizing the need for novel therapeutic approaches to combat HCV infection. Moreover, because the stability of interferon peptides inside the cell is low, frequent injections are required resulting in a high cost of treatment.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science have recently developed a novel therapy for the treatment of Hepatitis C. They have demonstrated that a small peptide, LaR2C, corresponding to the C-terminus of the human La protein can prevent translation of HCV RNA. LaR2C binds with high affinity to a portion the viral IRES sequence, effectively preventing ribosome interaction with the HCV-IRES. While LaR2C prevents ribosomal interaction with the HCV IRES, it does not impair canonical, non-IRES-mediated cellular translation. Both a 7 amino acid peptide and a 24 amino acid peptide have been shown to be effective in vivo. This novel therapy represents a significant advancement in the treatment of HCV.

This technology is claimed in several U.S. applications filed in the period 2005-2008,  stemming from PCT Application No. PCT/IN06/000141, filed April 24, 2006, and Indian Patent Application Serial No. 520/CHE/2005, filed May 2, 2005. We are seeking an industrial partner for the continued development and commercialization of this technology.

 Download U.S. Application