SLV213

SLV213 is a novel, orally available small molecule antiviral drug candidate developed by Selva Therapeutics. It acts as a potent inhibitor of human host cell cysteine proteases, particularly cathepsin L, which are required for the activation of viral spike proteins and subsequent entry of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. By targeting these host proteases rather than viral proteins directly, SLV213 is less susceptible to resistance from viral mutations and retains broad-spectrum antiviral activity against multiple viruses that use similar entry mechanisms—including SARS-CoV-2 (all major variants), Ebola virus, Nipah virus, Marburg virus, MERS-CoV, and also Trypanosoma cruzi (the causative agent of Chagas disease). Preclinical studies have shown that SLV213 can protect against lung damage in animal models infected with SARS-CoV-2. Clinical trials have demonstrated safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers (Phase 1) and are ongoing in ambulatory COVID-19 patients (Phase 2a)[3][5][6][7][8].