BCX4430

BCX4430 is an experimental antiviral drug developed by BioCryst Pharmaceuticals. It is a nucleoside analog which disrupts the process of viral replication, and it has been investigated for possible use against a number of RNA viruses.

Mechanism of action[edit | edit source]

BCX4430 is a broad-spectrum nucleoside analog which inhibits the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of various RNA viruses. This enzyme is essential for the replication of the viral genome, and by inhibiting it, BCX4430 prevents the virus from multiplying within the host cell.

Development and testing[edit | edit source]

BCX4430 was developed by BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Durham, North Carolina. It was initially investigated for its potential use against hepatitis C, but was later found to have activity against a wider range of viruses.

In 2014, the drug was tested in a non-human primate model of Marburg virus disease, with promising results. It was also found to be effective in vitro against a number of other viruses, including Ebola virus, Hendra virus, and Nipah virus.

In 2015, BioCryst received funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to further develop BCX4430 as a treatment for Ebola virus disease.

Clinical trials[edit | edit source]

In 2016, a phase 1 clinical trial of BCX4430 was initiated. This trial aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of the drug in healthy volunteers.