Selva-AP25T4

Selva-AP25T4 is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of cathepsin L, a host cell cysteine protease. Developed by Selva Therapeutics, the drug is designed to block the entry of various viruses into host cells by preventing the cathepsin L-mediated cleavage of viral fusion proteins, a critical step for viral-host membrane fusion. This mechanism of action provides broad-spectrum potential against several high-consequence pathogens, including Ebola virus, Marburg virus, and SARS-CoV-2. By targeting a host-encoded enzyme rather than a viral protein, Selva-AP25T4 aims to provide a higher barrier to the development of viral resistance. The compound has demonstrated significant efficacy in non-human primate models of Ebola virus disease and has been evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19.