Antiviral peptoid compositions

A method is provided for treating a subject for a viral infection. The method includes diagnosing the subject as having a viral infection, and administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to the subject. The pharmaceutical composition includes a poly-N-substituted glycine compound of a formula wherein A is a terminal N-alkyl substituted glycine residue; n is an integer; B is selected from the group consisting of NH 2 , one and two N-substituted glycine residues, and wherein said one and two N-substituted glycine residues have N-substituents which are independently selected from natural α-amino acid side chain moieties, isomers and carbon homologs thereof; X, Y and Z are independently selected from the group consisting of N-substituted glycine residues, wherein said N-substituents are independently selected from the group consisting of natural α-amino acid side chain moieties, isomers and carbon homologs thereof, and proline residues. In some embodiments, at least one of A, B, X, Y and Z contains a halogen-bearing moiety.