Darunavir -: Anti-HIV agent HIV protease inhibitor

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection remains a major global health problem due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Thus, there is an ongoing need for new therapeutics for the long-term management of HIV infection and for acute HIV-1 infection due to drug-resistant strains. HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs) have proven to be effective additions to existing antiretroviral regimens. However, despite the success of these agents, the emergence of mutants conferring multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a critical problem. Darunavir is a next-generation nonpeptide PI that exhibits potent antiviral activity with low toxicity in vitro and in vivo. The agent retains activity against resistant strains and has a low liability for the development of resistance. Darunavir is entering phase III clinical trials and has shown excellent promise as a treatment for HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients.