Enanta pharmaceuticals presents data on a novel non-fusion inhibitor of respiratory syncytial virus at the 10th annual respiratory syncytial virus con
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Answer:Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENTA), a research and development-focused biotechnology company dedicated to creating small molecule drugs for viral infections and liver diseases, today announced new data on EDP-938, Enanta’s lead compound being developed for the treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This new data was presented by Kai Lin, Ph.D., Director of Virology, Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in an oral presentation titled “EDP-938, a Novel Non-Fusion Replication Inhibitor of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Demonstrates Potent Antiviral Activities both In Vitro and In Vivo,” at the XIX International Symposium on Respiratory Viral Infections, Berlin, Germany.
In vitro data demonstrated that EDP-938 is a potent inhibitor of both RSV-A and RSV-B activity, maintaining antiviral activity post-infection while presenting a high barrier to resistance. Further, EDP-938 maintained antiviral potency across all clinical isolates tested as well as virus that was resistant to fusion inhibitors. The compound inhibited RSV at a post-entry, replication step and maintained its activity in vitro when given 24 hours post infection. In addition, combination studies of EDP-938 with other types of RSV inhibitors, e.g. fusion inhibitors, showed synergistic antiviral effects. New in vivo data consistent with potent inhibition of the RSV virus were also presented. EDP-938 demonstrated a greater than 4-log reduction in viral load in an animal model challenged with RSV virus.
“We are particularly encouraged by the new in vivo data, and given the favorable preclinical profile for EDP-938, we look forward to initiating a phase 1 clinical study in the fourth calendar quarter of 2017,” stated Jay R. Luly, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Enanta.
About EDP-938
EDP-938 is the lead non-fusion inhibitor discovered by Enanta for potential development for RSV. Enanta believes that its approach differentiates its compounds from fusion inhibitors currently in development for RSV because its non-fusion inhibitors target the virus replication machinery and have demonstrated high barriers to resistance against the virus in vitro. EDP-938 has been shown to reduce viral load below the level of detection in vivo. Additionally, non-fusion inhibitors have the potential of being effective at later stages of infection.