Developing Antiviral Therapeutics for Feline Infectious Peritonitis and Calicivirus Infection

Feline infectious peritonitis and virulent, systemic feline calicivirus infection are life-threatening diseases for which there are no specific drug treatments. The investigators previously identified inhibitors that have broad-spectrum antiviral activities against these feline viruses. In this study, the researchers will identify additional potent protease inhibitors and characterize them to determine which would be the best inhibitors in cats. They will also investigate the roles of a specific cellular protein involved in propagation of feline calicivirus. This work will provide insight into the development of therapies for these two viruses.