DREP-HIV-PT1

DREP-HIV-PT1 is a D-peptide drug candidate currently in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of HIV infections. Developed by The Medical Research Council and France Recherche Nord & Sud SIDA HIV-Hepatites, it functions as an HIV-1 entry inhibitor. Its mechanism of action involves binding to the highly conserved N-trimer pocket region of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41. By targeting this critical site, DREP-HIV-PT1 prevents the conformational changes in gp41 necessary for the formation of the six-helix bundle, thereby inhibiting the fusion of the viral and host cell membranes and ultimately blocking viral entry. D-peptides are particularly promising due to their enhanced protease resistance compared to L-peptides.