Dimeric compounds and their use as anti-viral agents

Abstract

A method for the prevention of an orthomyxovirus or paramyxovirus infection comprising the step of administration to a subject in need thereof of an effective amount of a compound of formula (I)

1 . A method for the prevention of an orthomyxovirus or paramyxovirus infection comprising the step of administration to a subject in need thereof of an effective amount of a compound of formula (I)  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       in which 
 R is an amino or guanidino group;  
 R 2  is acetyl or trifluoroacetyl;  
 X is CONH, SO 2 NH, NHCO or NHCONH;  
 m is either 0 or 1;  
 n is an integer from 2 to 6;  
 q is an integer from 0 to 3; and  
 Y is hydrogen or an aromatic substituent,  
 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ether, ester or salt of such ester thereof.  
 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , in which R is a guanidino group.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , in which R 2  is an acetyl group.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , in which Y is hydrogen, halogen, C 1-4  alkyl, hydroxy, C 1-4  alkoxy, amino or carboxy.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the compound contains a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ether, ester or salt of such ester at one or more of the carboxyl groups, hydroxyl groups, amino groups or guanidine groups.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the compound is an alkyl ester, an aryl ester or an acetyl ester.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  in which orthomyxovirus or paramyxovirus infection is an influenza A or B infection, parainfluenza, mumps or Newcastle disease.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , in which the administration is to the respiratory tract by inhalation, insufflation or intranasally or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of administering an effective amount of one or more anti-viral agents used to treat respiratory infections.