Calanolide A

Calanolide A is an experimental non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) derived from the tropical tree *Calophyllum lanigerum var. austrocoriaceum* found in the Malaysian rain forest. It is a small molecule isolated from plant latex and exhibits potent activity against HIV-1 by selectively inhibiting HIV-1 reverse transcriptase but not cellular DNA polymerases or HIV-2 reverse transcriptase. Unique among NNRTIs, calanolide A can bind to two distinct sites on the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme and acts as a partially competitive inhibitor at the dNTP binding site. The drug has shown antiviral effects in early clinical studies and remains under investigation for use in combination treatment of HIV infection (AIDS). It is metabolized hepatically via cytochrome P450 CYP3A with a half-life of approximately 20 hours for an 800 mg dose. Developed by Sarawak Pharmaceuticals.

Other names

(+)-calanolide A