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Identification of Potent Ebola Virus Entry Inhibitors with Suitable Properties for in Vivo Studies

  • Hu Liu
  • , Ye Tian
  • , Kyungae Lee
  • , Pranav Krishnan
  • , May Kwang Mei Wang
  • , Sean Whelan
  • , Emily Mevers
  • , Veronica Soloveva
  • , Benjamin Dedic
  • , Xinyong Liu
  • , James M. Cunningham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Previous studies identified an adamantane dipeptide piperazine 3.47 that inhibits Ebola virus (EBOV) infection by targeting the essential receptor Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). The physicochemical properties of 3.47 limit its potential for testing in vivo. Optimization by improving potency, reducing hydrophobicity, and replacing labile moieties identified 3.47 derivatives with improved in vitro ADME properties that are also highly active against EBOV infection, including when tested in the presence of 50% normal human serum (NHS). In addition, 3A4 was identified as the major cytochrome P450 isoform that metabolizes these compounds, and accordingly, mouse microsome stability was significantly improved when tested in the presence of the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir that is approved for clinical use as a booster of anti-HIV drugs. Oral administration of the EBOV inhibitors with ritonavir resulted in a pharmacokinetic profile that supports a b.i.d. dosing regimen for efficacy studies in mice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6293-6307
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry
Volume61
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 26 2018

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