Methods and compositions for treating and preventing viral infections

Inventors

Zasloff, Michael

Assignees

Enterin Inc

Abstract

A method of treating or preventing a systemic viral infection in a mammal by administering a pharmaceutically acceptable composition selected from the group consisting of squalamine, an active isomer thereof, and an active analogue thereof, via a dosing regimen that delivers effective antiviral concentrations of squalamine. Also compositions for achieving the systemic antiviral effect.

Core Innovation

The invention provides an in vivo method of treating a viral infection in a mammal by systemically administering a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable grade of squalamine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount sufficient to produce an antiviral effect and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition is systemically administered via intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, and orally.

The disclosed antiviral approach is described as integrating squalamine into cellular membranes and reducing membrane electrostatic potential, including displacement of membrane proteins involved in actin remodeling, such as actin stress fiber formation and RhoGTPase-related processes. By this membrane effect, the disclosure describes a mechanism that closes the gateway to viral entry, producing a transient antiviral resistance state rather than directly targeting viral enzymes.

The disclosure further states that squalamine, including active isomers, analogues, derivatives, and salts, is used to treat and prevent systemic viral infections across multiple viruses, including Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis Delta virus, Hepatitis C virus, and Dengue virus. The disclosure also includes combination therapy with conventional antivirals, immunological adjuvants, and antigens, and asserts limited development of antiviral drug resistance.

Claims Coverage

The provided set includes four independent in vivo treatment claims, each covering systemic administration of squalamine and differing only by the virus causative agent (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, Hepatitis C, or Dengue). Overall, the inventive features are the same across the independent claims: systemic administration routes, a pharmaceutically acceptable squalamine (or salt), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in an amount sufficient for an antiviral effect, with virus-specific limitations per claim.

Across the independent claims, the core coverage is an in vivo method that systemically administers a pharmaceutically acceptable squalamine (or salt) composition with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in an amount sufficient to produce an antiviral effect via intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or oral routes, with the viral target limited separately to Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis Delta virus, Hepatitis C virus, or Dengue virus.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications