The peptide VIRIP (human virus-inhibiting peptide) and its biologically active fragments and/or variants and/or derivatives, especially amidated, acetylated, sulfated, poly(ethylene glycol)-modified, phosphorylated and/or glycosylated derivatives, also synthetic peptides with the same biological activity (collectively (I)). VIRIP has the formula (1) Z1-LEAIPMSIPPEVKFNKPF-Z2 (1) Z1 and Z2 : 0-10 amino acids, or Z1 = hydrogen and Z2 = carboxy Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) nucleic acid (II) encoding (I)； (b) vector containing (II)； (c) genetically modified host cell containing the vector； (d) nucleic acid (IIa) that hybridizes with (II)； (e) antibody (Ab), antagonist or inhibitor of (I)； (f) combination of (I) and an adapter protein that ensures uptake into virus-infected cells； (g) galenical formulation containing (I) and a carrier； (h) method for preparing (I)； (i) diagnostic agent containing Ab or (II)； and (j) pharmaceutical composition containing (I), (II), Ab or an antagonist/inhibitor of (I). ACTIVITY : Antiviral； antibacterial； antifungal； anti-inflammatory； anticancer； growth regulating； neurological； cardiovascular； hematological； immunomodulatory； vulnerary. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells, incubation with 1000 Microg/ml VIRIP caused almost complete inhibition of replication (assessed from reverse transcriptase activity) of many different strains of human immune deficiency virus, regardless of the tropism of the virus. MECHANISM OF ACTION : Viral receptor blocker.
