Human herpesviruses (HHVs) are a family of large double-stranded DNA viruses known for their lifelong persistence and ability to cause recurrent or latent infections. At CD BioSciences, we understand the complexity of HHV biology, particularly the challenge of identifying viable antiviral drug targets among the diverse viral proteins and host-pathogen interactions. Our Target Identification & Validation services are designed to accelerate early-stage antiviral drug discovery by uncovering and confirming targets that are essential for HHV replication, latency, or immune evasion.
Whether you're working on herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), or Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), CD BioSciences provides a full spectrum of services rooted in virology, molecular biology, and functional genomics to help you confidently advance from target discovery to preclinical development.
Our Approach
CD BioSciences integrates bioinformatics, systems biology, and experimental virology to deliver a comprehensive solution tailored to HHV-targeted drug discovery. Our four-phase framework ensures strategic and scientifically rigorous support throughout the process:
Target Discovery through Systems-Level Analysis
We begin by identifying potential therapeutic targets using a combination of:
- Comparative Genomics: Aligning HHV genome sequences across strains to detect conserved genes and essential open reading frames.
- Transcriptomics & Proteomics: Profiling infected cells to determine viral gene expression kinetics and protein abundance during different stages (lytic and latent).
- Host-Virus Interaction Mapping: Using CRISPR screening, RNAi, or proximity labeling to reveal host dependency factors exploited by HHVs.
These techniques enable us to generate high-confidence target lists for both viral and host components.
Functional Validation of Viral Genes and Host Factors
Potential targets are experimentally validated using multiple orthogonal assays:
- CRISPR-Cas9 Knockout/Knockdown Models
Evaluate loss-of-function effects on viral replication or latency. - Overexpression and Mutant Rescue Studies
Determine target essentiality and specificity. - Viral Replication Assays
Quantify viral load changes using qPCR, plaque assays, or reporter-based systems. - Latency Reactivation Models
Particularly for EBV and KSHV, we validate targets in latency-inducing and reactivation conditions.
Target Druggability Assessment
To support medicinal chemistry downstream, we assess the biophysical and structural properties of validated targets:
- In Silico Druggability Prediction
Binding pocket analysis, structural modeling (AlphaFold), and ligandability prediction. - Biochemical Assays
Enzymatic activity assays for polymerases, helicases, or proteases. - Protein-Protein Interaction Disruption Feasibility
Identification of interface regions amenable to small molecule or peptide disruption.
Target Prioritization & Reporting
All findings are synthesized into a comprehensive Target Nomination Dossier, which includes:
- Functional relevance to viral lifecycle or latency
- Therapeutic tractability
- Expression profile during infection
- Evolutionary conservation
- Potential for resistance emergence
This structured approach helps our clients focus resources on the most promising candidates for hit discovery and lead optimization.
Specialized Capabilities in HHV-Targeting
CD BioSciences is uniquely positioned to support antiviral R&D against HHVs, thanks to our focus and infrastructure:
Latency-Focused Target Discovery
We have proprietary cell-based latency models for HSV, EBV, and KSHV, allowing us to identify targets involved in viral genome maintenance and immune evasion during latent infection—a frontier area for new therapeutics.
Advanced Molecular Tools
- Reporter viruses (e.g., GFP-labeled HSV or KSHV)
- Inducible CRISPRi/a systems for fine-tuned gene modulation
- High-throughput siRNA or sgRNA libraries tailored to host-virus interactomes
Integrated Bioinformatics Pipeline
From raw omics data to target ranking, our in-house software pipeline supports annotation, interaction prediction, and network modeling based on up-to-date viral databases and host cell interaction maps.
Focus on Drug-Like Targets
We don't just identify any gene – we specialize in discovering targets with a higher likelihood of being druggable by small molecules or biologics, increasing the chance of downstream success.
Why Choose CD BioSciences
- Expertise in HHV Biology: Our scientific team includes virologists and molecular biologists with deep experience in alpha-, beta-, and gamma-herpesviruses.
- End-to-End Support: From initial discovery to preclinical candidate nomination, we provide consistent and coordinated services.
- Customizable Solutions: Projects are designed around client objectives—whether you're validating a single target or executing a large-scale screen.
- Data Integrity & Transparency: Full experimental documentation, raw datasets, and customizable analysis reports are standard deliverables.
- Regulatory-Aware Reporting: All output can be formatted to support IND-enabling documentation in line with FDA/EMA expectations.
Application Areas
Our HHV Target Identification & Validation services support a broad range of preclinical research:
- Antiviral drug discovery against HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV, EBV, and KSHV
- Host-directed antiviral strategies targeting virus-essential cellular machinery
- Latency-disrupting therapeutics (e.g., KSHV LANA, EBV EBNA1, HSV LAT region regulators)
- Novel target discovery for vaccine adjuvant research or viral immune modulators
Project Workflow Example
Step 1: Project Kickoff
Discussion of viral target class, lifecycle stage, and therapeutic goals. Selection of virus species and strain (e.g., HSV-2 lytic replication or EBV latency III).
Step 2: Experimental Design
Custom strategy using high-throughput screening, transcriptomics, or knockout validation in our infection platforms.
Step 3: Execution & Data Collection
Delivery of raw data, target impact metrics (e.g., replication fold change), and QC documentation.
Step 4: Final Report
Prioritized target list with annotated rationale, druggability flags, and path-to-hit options.
References
- Whitley, R. J., & Roizman, B. (2001). Herpes simplex viruses. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 33(6), 830–839.
- Mocarski, E. S., et al. (2013). Cytomegaloviruses. In Fields Virology (6th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Mesri, E. A., Cesarman, E., & Boshoff, C. (2010). Kaposi's sarcoma and its associated herpesvirus. Nature Reviews Cancer, 10(10), 707–719.
- Young, L. S., & Rickinson, A. B. (2004). Epstein–Barr virus: 40 years on. Nature Reviews Cancer, 4(10), 757–768.
- Zhou, H., et al. (2023). Systematic identification of host-virus dependency factors in herpesvirus infection using CRISPR screening. Cell Host & Microbe, 31(4), 512–528.e6.