Antiviral Properties and Mechanism of Action Studies of the Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulator JNJ-56136379

Abstract

Capsid assembly is a critical step in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) life cycle, mediated by the core protein. Core is a potential target for new antiviral therapies, the capsid assembly modulators (CAMs). JNJ-56136379 (JNJ-6379) is a novel and potent CAM currently in phase II trials. We evaluated the mechanisms of action (MOAs) and antiviral properties of JNJ-6379 in vitro . Size exclusion chromatography and electron microscopy studies demonstrated that JNJ-6379 induced the formation of morphologically intact viral capsids devoid of genomic material (primary MOA).