In Vitro Characterization of Remdesivir as Potential Antiviral Treatment for Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)

Scientific Project (6 months duration):

Phase 1: Isolation of Marburg (MARV) Ghana variant from clinical sample

• Preparation of virus stock(s) for MARV isolate(s) and potentially optimization of plaque assay protocols [duration up to 6 weeks]
• Establishing growth kinetics in Vero cells [duration up to 4 weeks]

Phase 2: In vitro molecular characterization & antiviral potency testing of MARV Ghana variant

• Deep sequencing of virus stock(s) and sequence analysis [duration up to 4 weeks]
• Antiviral testing of remdesivir (RDV), GS-441524, Prodrug #1, and Prodrug #2 against new MARV isolate(s) and data reporting [duration up to 10 weeks]
  • Gilead Materials: Gilead will provide a minimum of 0.1 ml of 10 mM remdesivir, GS-441524, and/or>
  • Prodrug#1 & 2 liquid concentrates to support determination antiviral potency (EC so190) for MARV in vitro.
  • Perform virus plaque reduction and virus yield reduction assays to determine ECso and ECgo values
  • Perform cytotoxicity assays to determine CCso values
  • Calculate SI values
  • Preparation and submission of report