ABSTRACT
Nelfinavir mesylate is a selective, nonpeptidic inhibitor of the HIV protease, conferring moderately potent activity against HIV-1 and HIV-2. The drug was designed by protein structure-based techniques using iterative protein crystallo-graphic analysis (Appelt et al., 1991). The mesylate salt was chosen for development based on favorable preformulation studies (Longer et al., 1995). Nelfinavir inhibits the HIV protease, resulting in the formation of immature and noninfectious particles by inhibiting the cleavage of the Gag- and Gag–Pol precursor polyproteins. It was developed by Agouron Pharmaceuticals and given the trade name Viracept.
