AL-516

AL-516 is an investigational antiviral small-molecule prodrug developed by Alios BioPharma (acquired by Johnson & Johnson) as a nucleotide analog polymerase inhibitor for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It is described as a novel guanosine nucleotide analog with a highly favorable in vitro safety and resistance profile, designed to target the HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and interfere with viral RNA replication. Preclinical data presented by Alios and Johnson & Johnson indicated potent pan-genotypic activity and a high barrier to resistance, and AL-516 was reported to be advancing toward first-in-human phase 1 clinical trials around 2015, although subsequent clinical development status has not been clearly documented.[5][7]