Targeting influenza virus neuraminidase - a new strategy for antiviral therapy

Influenza virus infection causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide, but current options for control are limited. Although major advances have been made in antiviral therapy of infections such as herpes and HIV, a 'magic bullet' for influenza has proved elusive. The influenza neuraminidase enzyme is an attractive target for antiviral intervention, its active site is antigenically conserved in all clinically relevant strains and is critical to viral replication. The authors consider the subject of neuraminidase inhibition and discuss, in particular, the development of the oral agent Ro640796 (GS4104). The concept of neuraminidase inhibition is likely to lead to a major breakthrough in the control of influenza.