Overview of Antiviral Drug Discovery and Development: Viral <i>Versus</i> Host Targets

Over the past fifty years, a great number of viral and host targets have been explored for the discovery of antiviral agents against human viral infections. Most antivirals have been designed to target viral proteins such as viral polymerases, viral proteases, and viral structural proteins. Alternative drug targets are human proteins (e.g. receptors, co-receptors, kinases) that are indispensable for the viral life cycle. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive overview of 20 viral proteins and 12 host factors targeted by approved and novel antiviral agents. Advantages and disadvantages of viral versus host targets are highlighted, shedding light on the discovery of effective antiviral drugs against human infectious diseases worldwide.