The genus of
Ebolavirus consists of at least six distinct Ebola virus species endemic to Africa. The Zaire species (EBOV) is associated with human Ebola hemorrhagic fevers (EHFs) with an extraordinary risk (40-90%) of mortality. EBOV is the causative agent for both the 2013-2015 epidemic in West Africa and the ongoing 2018-19 outbreaks in the Congo. There are no approved drugs for the treatment of EHF. A promising vaccine is likely to be approved in 2019, however, despite the inoculation of over 80,000 at-risk individuals during the 2018-19 Congo outbreak the toll of infected and confirmed deaths steadily climbed. Furthermore, the vaccine is specific for the EBOV species and unlikely to provide protection against other Ebola virus species, at least two of which,
Sudan (SUDV) and
Bundibugyo (BDBV), are associated with similar human EHF outbreaks. In association with the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), Arisan Therapeutics has developed a novel chemical series of potent and
broad-spectrum Ebola virus cell entry inhibitors as confirmed in collaborative test studies with scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and USAMRIID. Selected analogs further demonstrate attractive oral absorption and other drug-like properties in rodent animal models. Potent, broad-spectrum Ebola virus inhibitor compounds are currently under selection as candidates for efficacy testing in EHF animal models.
At least seven arenavirus species including Lassa virus are associated with severe arenavirus hemorrhagic fevers (AHFs) in humans. While there are no approved drugs or vaccines for the treatment of Lassa and other AHFs an estimated 300,000 infections and 5000 deaths occur annually from Lassa virus alone. The development of potent broad-spectrum agents for the treatment of AHF is therefore, urgently needed. In association with the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), Arisan Therapeutics has developed a novel chemical series of arenavirus cell entry inhibitors. Collaborative test studies with scientists at Utah State University and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have helped to select specific compounds exhibiting highly potent and broad-spectrum arenavirus activity. Selected analogs including ARN-75039 also exhibit attractive drug-like properties and remarkable protection against AHFs in rodent animal models promoting them for further IND-enabling development as promising broad-spectrum arenavirus antiviral drug candidates.