Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/def80b/antiviral_therapeu)
has announced the addition of Jain PharmaBiotech's new report "Antiviral
Therapeutics - Technologies, Markets and Companies" to their
offering.
“Antiviral
Therapeutics - Technologies, Markets and Companies”
This report reviews the current state-of-art of antiviral approaches
including vaccines, pharmaceuticals and innovative technologies for
delivery of therapeutics. The introduction starts with a practical
classification of viral diseases according to their commercial
importance. Various antiviral approaches are described including
pharmaceuticals and molecular biological therapies such as gene therapy
and RNA interference (RNAi) as well as vaccines for virus infections.
Expert opinion is given about the current problems and needs in
antiviral therapy. SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
threats) analysis of antiviral approaches is presented against the
background of concept of an ideal antiviral agent.
A novel feature of this report is the use of nanotechnology in virology
and its potential for antiviral therapeutics. Interaction of
nanoparticles with viruses are described. NanoViricides are polymeric
micelles, which act as nanomedicines to destroy viruses. Various methods
for local as well as systemic delivery of antiviral agents and vaccines
are described. Nanobiotechnology plays an important role in improving
delivery of antivirals. Advantages and limitations of delivery of
gene-based, antisense and RNAi antiviral therapeutics are discussed.
Anti-influenza measures applicable to human as well as avian forms are
described including the recent epidemic of swine flu. Resistance can
develop against neuraminidase inhibitors although it is less than that
with adamantanes. Considering these problems, there is need for a more
effective agent. Investigations into alternative anti-influenza target
will probably expand in the coming years. These include the development
of mechanisms to inhibit fusion between the virus envelope and the cell
membrane.
After a discussion of current therapies of AIDS/HIV and their
limitations, new strategies in development of antiviral agents are
described. Drug resistance and toxicities are emerging as major
treatment challenges. Based on a review of technologies and drugs in
development, it can be stated that there are good prospects are of
finding a cure for HIV/AIDS in the next decade.
Hepatitis viruses are described with focus on hepatitis C virus (HCV)
and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Despite the presence of numerous drug
candidates in the anti-HCV pipeline, and the commitment of major R&D
resources by many pharmaceutical companies, it might still take several
years for any new anti-HCV drugs to reach the market. Although many
companies are focusing their efforts on developing viral inhibitors,
cellular targets in the host are beginning to emerge as attractive
possibilities because they might enable the development of
broad-spectrum antiviral drugs with less chance for developing viral
resistance.
Various commercially important viruses include herpes simplex (HSV) and
human papilloma virus (HPV). There a number of treatments but HSV is not
destroyed completely and remains dormant and activates from time to time
to cause various clinical manifestations. There is discussion about the
role of HPV in cervical cancer and vaccines available now seem to be
adequate in preventing HSV-induced cervical cancer. There is no
effective vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) although
monoclonal antibody (MAb) treatment is useful for prophylaxis and
reducing the clinical manifestations. There is a need for an agent to
eliminate this virus.