A Potential Drug for Blocking HIV (IMAGE) University of Utah Health Caption D-peptide inhibitors (PIE12, yellow) bind to the HIV "pocket" region (orange). PIE12 binds to the pocket, preventing interaction of other HIV components required to mediate HIV's entry into target cells. University of Utah associate professor of biochemistry Michael S. Kay, M.D., Ph.D., hopes to begin human trials of a PIE12-based drug in two to three years. Credit Michael S. Kay, M.D., Ph.D., University of Utah School of Medicine. Usage Restrictions Can only be used for public dissemination in newspapers, magazines, or on television. Photo must be credited to Michael S. Kay. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.