HB64

HB64 is a de novo designed miniprotein developed as a potent inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Created using computational protein design methods at the Institute for Protein Design, HB64 is a 64-residue protein engineered to bind with high affinity and specificity to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. By binding to the RBD, HB64 competitively inhibits the interaction between the viral spike protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, thereby preventing viral entry into host cells. The molecule is characterized by its exceptional thermal stability and resistance to proteolytic degradation, making it a promising candidate for intranasal or inhaled therapeutic delivery. While HB64 served as a foundational scaffold in the development of even more potent inhibitors like LCB1, it represents a significant advancement in the use of de novo protein design to create targeted antiviral therapeutics.

Other names

HB64 miniproteinHB-64 miniproteinHB 64 miniproteinSARS-CoV-2 miniprotein inhibitorSARS-CoV2 miniprotein inhibitorSARS-CoV 2 miniprotein inhibitor