Agouron other research news

The La Jolla company presented the three-dimensional structure of an enzyme that plays a role in many common colds. The discovery of the active site of the rhinovirus 3C protease provides the framework for designing drugs against rhinoviruses, with the first products aimed at preventing colds in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

The complete three-dimensional coordinates of the structure are not being disclosed, although a set of atomic coordinates were given to Eli Lilly and Co. on a non-exclusive basis in exchange for all commercial rights to a class of HIV protease inhibitors generated in a collaboration with Lilly that concluded in 1993. The protease is involved at several stages of the virus' life cycle. ...