Seminar Title: Paradigm shifts in developing broad-spectrum, host-directed antivirals: A tale of two pandemic viruses
Abstract: Abstract: Dr. Jean’s seminar will focus on his recent discoveries of novel broad-spectrum host-directed antivirals (HDAs) for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A (H1N1) virus, human viruses of pandemic concern (VOCs). These new antivirals are directed at human TMPRSS2 [Shapira T. et al., Jean F (2022) Nature] and human V-ATPase [Pérez-Vargas J. et al., Jean F (2023) Antiviral Research]; additional unpublished results]. Because of this, he and his team are advocating for a paradigm shift in the current biotech-industry focus on drugs directed at viral enzymes (direct-acting antivirals). Dr. Jean will also discuss the impact of his findings on (i) generating effective tools to dissect complex enzyme-activated pathways, (ii) defining the biological impact of host-directed enzyme inhibitors on viral pathogenesis, and (iii) developing new antiviral strategies for VOCs. His seminar will provide new insights into the unique biology of emerging and re-emerging human pathogenic viruses, and it will unravel potential combinations of antiviral therapies based on HDAs that act synergistically, thus, presenting the possibility of alternatives to monotherapy to improve viral-disease treatment. Dr. Jean is the founder of the UBC Facility for Infectious Disease and Epidemic Research (FINDER), and he has been leading major research initiatives in broad-spectrum drugs against emerging/ re-emerging human viruses, research funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He is currently serving as the Lead of Pillar 10, Antiviral Strategies & Antiviral Therapeutics, Coronavirus Variants Rapid Response Network.
Seminar Title: Paradigm shifts in developing broad-spectrum, host-directed antivirals: A tale of two pandemic viruses
Abstract: Abstract: Dr. Jean’s seminar will focus on his recent discoveries of novel broad-spectrum host-directed antivirals (HDAs) for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A (H1N1) virus, human viruses of pandemic concern (VOCs). These new antivirals are directed at human TMPRSS2 [Shapira T. et al., Jean F (2022) Nature] and human V-ATPase [Pérez-Vargas J. et al., Jean F (2023) Antiviral Research]; additional unpublished results]. Because of this, he and his team are advocating for a paradigm shift in the current biotech-industry focus on drugs directed at viral enzymes (direct-acting antivirals). Dr. Jean will also discuss the impact of his findings on (i) generating effective tools to dissect complex enzyme-activated pathways, (ii) defining the biological impact of host-directed enzyme inhibitors on viral pathogenesis, and (iii) developing new antiviral strategies for VOCs. His seminar will provide new insights into the unique biology of emerging and re-emerging human pathogenic viruses, and it will unravel potential combinations of antiviral therapies based on HDAs that act synergistically, thus, presenting the possibility of alternatives to monotherapy to improve viral-disease treatment. Dr. Jean is the founder of the UBC Facility for Infectious Disease and Epidemic Research (FINDER), and he has been leading major research initiatives in broad-spectrum drugs against emerging/ re-emerging human viruses, research funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He is currently serving as the Lead of Pillar 10, Antiviral Strategies & Antiviral Therapeutics, Coronavirus Variants Rapid Response Network.