GS-5366

GS-5366 (formerly ABI-5366) is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) helicase-primase complex, currently in clinical development for the treatment of recurrent genital herpes. Developed by Assembly Biosciences and licensed to Gilead Sciences, GS-5366 targets the viral replication machinery by inhibiting the essential helicase-primase enzyme complex, which is responsible for unwinding double-stranded DNA and synthesizing RNA primers during viral replication. This mechanism of action is distinct from traditional nucleoside analogs like acyclovir, potentially offering higher potency and a longer half-life that may allow for less frequent dosing schedules, such as weekly or monthly administration.