An experimental antiviral drug may hold promise against Ebola.
Brincidofovir has been under development for several years against other potentially life threatening viral disease including adenovirus, cytomegalovirus and smallpox. The drug has already been tested in over 1,000 subjects and does not appear to have serious toxicity.
Brincidofovir Given to Dallas Patient
The Food and Drug Administration has granted the company an Emergency Investigational New Drug Application that will allow physicians access to the medication prior to approval. Although the drug was administered to Dallas Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan, it may not have been given early enough. Mr. Duncan died of Ebola virus.
Success Against Adenovirus
The drug and its manufacturer Chimerix hit the headlines earlier this year when a child, Josh Hardy, came down with a life-threatening adenovirus infection after cancer treatment. When the company made the drug available, the boy recovered. Whether brincidofovir will be a useful tool against Ebola remains to be seen, but hopes are high that this broad-spectrum antiviral compound could save lives.
