Life-long passion for antiviral research and drug development: 80th birthday of Prof. Dr. Erik De Clercq

Since the 1950s, great efforts have been made to develop antiviral agents against many infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Among the list of nearly 106 antiviral agents approved in the past five decades, Prof. Erik De Clercq has contributed to the development of 7 antiviral drugs: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread®) for HIV and HBV treatment, tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy®) for HIV and HBV treatment, brivudine (Zostex®) for HSV-1 and VZV treatment, valacyclovir (Valtrex®) for HSV and VZV treatment, adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera®) for HBV treatment, stavudine (Zerit®) for HIV treatment, and cidofovir (Vistide®) for treating HCMV retinitis in AIDS patients. In addition to the above antiviral drugs, his contributions include two anti-cancer drugs: rabacfosadine (Tanovea®-CA1) for canine lymphoma and plerixafor (Mozobil®) for multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These achievements are driven by his life-long passions for antiviral research and successful collaborations worldwide. To honor the 80th birthday of Prof. Erik De Clercq, this study highlights his scientific achievements and the importance of life-long passions and collaborations in the success of antiviral research and drug development.