Small-molecule and Synthetically Derived Antivirals for Ebola Virus and Other Filoviruses

Abstract

Filoviruses—Ebola virus (EBOV), Marburg virus, and Sudan virus—are human pathogenic viruses, outbreaks of which have been associated with high case fatality rates. No antivirals have been approved to combat filovirus disease. Multiple experimental therapeutics have been shown to protect nonhuman primates against filovirus infection, and recent EBOV outbreaks have provided opportunities for clinical efficacy evaluations of promising investigational products. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of small molecules and other synthetic entities that have shown potential as therapeutic agents to combat filovirus disease. Summarized results are intended to convey key results from in vitro, in vivo, or clinical antiviral assessments; known mechanism(s) of action; and other relevant pharmacological characterizations of therapeutic candidates.