Replies to post #135568 on Biotech Values

[genisi]

I said if (don't know for sure) it is a PI cause I've looked at the web of Genoscience - the French company from which BLRX licensed the compound:

http://www.3dgenoscience.com/molecular_modeling/drug_discovery_and_viral_drug_resistance.htm

[DewDiligence]

Agree—based on BLRX’s PR (http://ih.advfn.com/p.php?pid=nmona&article=50866005 ), it doesn’t sound like a protease inhibitor.

[mcbio]

curious why you say it is a PI - from your link:

BL-8020 acts via a unique mechanism of action, by inhibiting hepatitis C virus-induced autophagy (cell degredation), which differs from the mechanism of currently used anti- hepatitis agents

sounds to me like it modifies host factors like the debiopharma compound NVS licensed

Initially, I shared your thoughts as well. But, I did a quick Google search and I believe I found genoscience's Web site at http://www.3dgenoscience.com/ . Although it admittedly appears to be a bit outdated, all their Web site refers to are HCV PIs. Perhaps their approach is some type of modification on a typical PI, but by and large it still sounds like this licensing deal is effectively for a PI. Perhaps this is an uber-secret PI like ACHN's ACH-2684 (I'm being facetious of course. See #msg-46028739. )

[genisi]

Looked at the few publications they have. They were studying the molecular mechanism of HCV NS3-4A resistance to PIs. So, my guess is they either used their knowledge to design a PI candidate that can overcome resistance or some new molecule that helps circumvent resistance to PIs or some new unrelated MoA to be used in combo with current approved anti virus treatment. I now tend against the first.

[genisi]

BLRX/BL-8020

I've asked and just got an answer: it is indeed an oral NS3/4A protease inhibitor.