LHF-535 is an antiviral agent extracted from patent WO2013123215A2, Compound 38, has EC50s of <1 μM, <1 μM, <1 μM, and 1-10 μM for Lassa, Machupo, Junin, and VSVg virus, respectively[1].
LHF-535 is a small-molecule viral entry inhibitor that targets the arenavirus envelope glycoprotein (GP). LHF-535 exhibits potent antiviral activity against a broad array of hemorrhagic fever arenaviruses. LHF-535 inhibits Lassa GP-pseudotyped lentivirus with an IC50 of 0.1-0.3 nM[2].
LHF-535 (3, 10 or 30 mg/kg; orally; daily; 14 days) protectes mice from a lethal challenge with Tacaribe virus and dramatically reduces viral titers in plasma, spleen, and liver[2]. An increase in survival is also observed when the first dose of LHF-535 (10 mg/kg) is delayed by 1, 2, or 3 days after infection, demonstrating that LHF-535 is efficacious as a post-exposure therapeutic in mice[2].
[1]. Dongcheng Dai, et al. Antiviral drugs for treatment of arenavirus infection. WO2013123215A2.
[2]. Madu IG, et al. A potent Lassa virus antiviral targets an arenavirus virulence determinant. PLoS Pathog. 2018 Dec 21;14(12):e1007439.