Glycyrrhizin is a natural product obtained from the liquorice root which has long been known to have medicinal properties. Prof. Cinatl, a virologist at the Goethe University in Frankfurt and a member of the scientific advisory board of onepharm, discovered the activity of glycyrrhizin against SARS in the middle of 2003. It is also known to have activity against influenza and other viral diseases.

The aim of the present VSOE research project is to chemically modify glycyrrhizin, which consists of a carbohydrate (sugar) moiety and a triterpene moiety, to find more active molecules which can then be developed as drugs.

In April 2006 the ZIT (Zentrum für Innovation und Technology, the Vienna Business Agency’s Centre for Innovation and Technology) rewarded onepharm and its academic partners, the University of Applied Life Sciences and the Vienna University of Technology, to set up a “Vienna Spot of Excellence” (VSOE). The universities will be responsible for the chemical synthesis of new chemical Glycyhrrizin derivatives, whereas screening and further development of these compounds will be performed under the direction of onepharm.