tecovirimat

Tecovirimat is an antiviral small molecule developed for the treatment of infections caused by orthopoxviruses, including smallpox (variola virus), monkeypox (mpox), and cowpox. It was the first antipoxviral drug approved in the United States in 2018 and has since been approved in other regions for additional orthopoxvirus indications. Tecovirimat acts by inhibiting the function of the highly conserved orthopoxvirus VP37 envelope wrapping protein, which is essential for viral egress from infected cells. By blocking this protein’s interaction with cellular factors Rab9 GTPase and TIP47, tecovirimat prevents formation of egress-capable enveloped virions, thereby halting cell-to-cell and systemic spread of virus within the host[3][5][7]. The drug is available as oral capsules or intravenous solution[4]. It was originally developed by SIGA Technologies.

Brand names

TpoxxTecovirimat Siga

Other names

TPOXX