A Novel Class of Norovirus Inhibitors Targeting the Viral Protease with Potent Antiviral Activity In Vitro and In Vivo

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis resulting annually in ~219,000 deaths and a societal cost of ~USD 60 billion, and no antivirals or vaccines are available. Here, we assess the anti-norovirus activity of new peptidomimetic aldehydes related to the protease inhibitor rupintrivir. The early hit compound inhibited the replication of murine norovirus (MNV) and the HuNoV GI.1 replicon in vitro (EC ~1 µM) and swiftly cleared the HuNoV GI.1 replicon from the cells. Compound still inhibits the proteolytic activity. We selected a resistant GI.1 replicon, with a mutation (I109V) in a highly conserved region of the viral protease, conferring a low yield of resistance against compound and rupintrivir. After testing new derivatives, compound was the most potent (EC nanomolar range). Molecular docking indicated that the aldehyde group of compounds and bind with Cys139 in the HuNoV 3CL protease by a covalent linkage. Finally, compound inhibited the replication of HuNoV GII.4 in infected zebrafish larvae, and PK studies in mice showed an adequate profile.