Antonello Pessi

Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Antonello Pessi is a distinguished biochemist and medicinal chemist whose research has centered on viral proteases, peptide therapeutics, and antiviral drug discovery. His most impactful work includes the development of a high-throughput radiometric assay for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease, a critical tool that enabled the screening and optimization of inhibitors targeting this essential viral enzyme. This assay, described in his 1999 paper (14 citations), laid the groundwork for subsequent advances in HCV protease inhibitor design, contributing to the eventual development of curative therapies for hepatitis C. Pessi’s contributions extend to the broader field of peptide chemistry, where he has pioneered novel approaches to stabilize and deliver peptide-based drugs, addressing key challenges in bioavailability and metabolic stability. His work has been instrumental in bridging fundamental enzymology with translational drug development, earning recognition for its impact on antiviral research. With a career spanning both academic and industrial settings, Pessi’s legacy is defined by his ability to translate mechanistic insights into practical assays and therapeutic candidates, influencing the trajectory of antiviral drug discovery.