Nonhuman Primates are Protected from Smallpox Virus or Monkeypox Virus Challenges by the Antiviral Drug ST-246

摘要

ST-246, a potent, orally available orthopox egress inhibitor, is safe and effective at preventing disease and death in small animal models (mice, rabbits, ground squirrels) challenged by different pathogenic poxv viruses including vaccinia virus, cowpox virus, ectromelia virus, and monkeypox virus. In this report, the antiviral efficacy of ST-246 was assessed in non-human primates infected with variola virus or monkeypox virus. The data indicate that once per day oral dosing with ST-246 protects animals from poxvirus disease as measured by reduction in viral load, appearance of lesions, and survival.