Products
Galidesivir is in development at BioCryst in the United States and is not yet commercially available.
Structure and properties
Galidesivir (C11H15N5O3, Mr = 265.27 g/mol) is a prodrug that is metabolized in cells to the active triphosphate. Galidesivir belongs to the nucleoside analogues. It is a derivative of adenosine, to which it is closely structurally related. See also under the article Nucleic acids.
Effects
Galidesivir has antiviral properties with a broad spectrum of activity against RNA viruses. It is effective in vitro against more than 20 RNA viruses from nine different families. These include, for example, filoviruses, togaviruses, bunyaviruses, arenaviruses, paramyxoviruses, coronaviruses and flaviviruses. The effects are based on the inhibition of RNA polymerase. This enzyme plays a central role in viral genome replication. Galidesivir triphosphate is incorporated into viral RNA as the wrong substrate, resulting in chain termination that prevents viral RNA synthesis.
Indications
For the treatment of viral infections with RNA viruses. Galidesivir is intended for severe infections, for example, Ebola and Marburg fever. In 2020, galidesivir was investigated for the treatment of the viral disease Covid-19.
Dosage
Galidesivir was administered perorally and parenterally in the studies.
