Summary
This invention concerns novel compounds that inhibit replication of retroviruses, such as HIV. These compounds act in a mechanistically distinct way from any other anti-HIV compound and appear to be relatively non-toxic. The compounds exert anti-HIV activity through inhibition of a key step in the viral replication cycle, specifically, the interaction of the nucleocapsid with nucleic acid. Clinical experience in chemotherapy of patients with AIDS has clearly shown that use of combinations of drugs acting through different mechanisms is essential for control of virus replication. Consequently, these compounds are believed to have the potential to substantially enhance anti-HIV therapy by introduction of agents acting by this novel mechanism.