The invention relates to selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs and theiruse as mimics of ligands for receptors expressed by a virus. In particular, theinvention relates to the use of selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs in methodsof inhibiting virus infection and/or promoting clearance of virus from infectedsubjects. Carbohydrate-lipid constructs selected for use in these methodswhere the virus is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are provided.