Overcoming amantadine resistance

A group of U.S. researchers has developed inhibitors of the influenza A virus matrix protein 2 mutant that is responsible for resistance to amantadine.¹ The first-generation inhibitor was widely used for years to treat flu, but in 2006 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended against its use due to resistance. InfluMedix Inc. has licensed the compounds and hopes to bring a new influenza antiviral to the market within five years.

Most mutations of the influenza A virus matrix protein 2 (M2) channel render the virus less transmissible than wild-type M2. As a result, only a handful of mutations are found in circulating influenza A viruses...