DRDO aid to scholar for novel HIV drug molecules

Tiruchirapalli, Jul 19 (UNI) The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for Mr A Ilangovan, Reader, School of Chemistry, Bharathidasan University, to develop novel anti-HIV drug molecules.

A university release said here today through the sponsored project 'Synthesis of Natural Product Hybrid Molecules as Potential anti-HIV Agents,' Dr Ilangovan is expected to develop HIV drug molecules using hybrid organic molecules principle.

There are bright chances to develop new drugs from this study, it added.

According to Dr Ilangovan, the current treatment for HIV-infected patients is based on combination of drugs acting against different enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, protease, and integrase, better known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

However, HAART is not always able to completely suppress HIV-1 replication, resulting in the emergence and selection of (multi) drug-resistant viral variants, he added and said as a consequence the therapy failed.

New and better drugs are necessary to ensure sufficient options for both first-line and second-line therapy, and fortunately, there have been important scientific advances in the past few years in the understanding how HIV infects cells and multiplies in the human body.

This helps in designing novel drug molecules through a process known as rational drug discovery, he said.

UNI RV GM SB RK1246