QL-007

QL-007 is a small molecule antiviral drug candidate developed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. It acts as a core protein allosteric modulator (CpAM), specifically targeting the hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly process. Mechanistically, QL-007 inhibits HBV replication by blocking encapsidation of pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), inducing aberrant capsid polymer assembly, and promoting disassembly of HBV capsids. This results in significant reductions in HBV DNA, 3.5 kb HBV RNA, HBeAg levels, and cccDNA biosynthesis both in vitro and in vivo. The drug is being developed by Qilu Pharmaceutical and has reached phase II clinical trials for chronic hepatitis B[1][2][3][4].