Favipiravir (T-705) protects against Nipah virus infection in the hamster model /631/326/22/1295 /631/326/596/1296 /13/106 /14/35 /38/77 /82/51 /96/63 article

Brian E. Dawes, Birte Kalveram, Tetsuro Ikegami, Terry Juelich, Jennifer K. Smith, Lihong Zhang, Arnold Park, Benhur Lee, Takashi Komeno, Yousuke Furuta, Alexander N. Freiberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

77 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nipah and Hendra viruses are recently emerged bat-borne paramyxoviruses (genus Henipavirus) causing severe encephalitis and respiratory disease in humans with fatality rates ranging from 40-75%. Despite the severe pathogenicity of these viruses and their pandemic potential, no therapeutics or vaccines are currently approved for use in humans. Favipiravir (T-705) is a purine analogue antiviral approved for use in Japan against emerging influenza strains; and several phase 2 and 3 clinical trials are ongoing in the United States and Europe. Favipiravir has demonstrated efficacy against a broad spectrum of RNA viruses, including members of the Paramyxoviridae, Filoviridae, Arenaviridae families, and the Bunyavirales order. We now demonstrate that favipiravir has potent antiviral activity against henipaviruses. In vitro, favipiravir inhibited Nipah and Hendra virus replication and transcription at micromolar concentrations. In the Syrian hamster model, either twice daily oral or once daily subcutaneous administration of favipiravir for 14 days fully protected animals challenged with a lethal dose of Nipah virus. This first successful treatment of henipavirus infection in vivo with a small molecule drug suggests that favipiravir should be further evaluated as an antiviral treatment option for henipavirus infections.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number7604
JournalScientific reports
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Favipiravir (T-705) protects against Nipah virus infection in the hamster model /631/326/22/1295 /631/326/596/1296 /13/106 /14/35 /38/77 /82/51 /96/63 article'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this