Identification of novel broad-spectrum Dengue antivirals

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease in the world with no approved therapeutic treatment or vaccine to help those exposed to the virus. World Health Organization estimates that 40% of the world's population is at risk from Dengue with approximately 100 million cases annually. For the most part, Dengue is self-limiting albeit with debilitating symptoms including fever, rash, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain. However, severe forms of Dengue including Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome can occur in approximately 500,000 people leading to hospitalization each year, many of whom are children. About 2.5-5% of severe Dengue patients die each year. There are four distinct serotypes of dengueviruses that have made vaccine development a challenge. There is little to no cross immunity among the serotypes and immunity to one serotype puts an individual at risk of developing an immuno-pathological response when infected by another serotype. An alt