bavituximab + ribavirin

Bavituximab + ribavirin is an experimental **combination therapy** of two drugs: **bavituximab**, a chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets phosphatidylserine (PS) exposed on the surface of virus-infected cells, and **ribavirin**, a broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside analog. Bavituximab functions by binding to externalized PS on infected cells, disrupting immune evasion and promoting an anti-viral immune response. Ribavirin acts through inhibition of viral RNA synthesis, thereby directly blocking viral replication. Together, they have shown **additive antiviral activity** in preclinical animal models of viral infection (notably Pichinde virus, a Lassa fever model), with significantly improved survival compared to either agent alone. This combination has also been evaluated in Phase II clinical trials for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, aiming to leverage bavituximab’s immunomodulatory effect and ribavirin’s direct antiviral action.