T-705 (Favipiravir)

T-705 (Favipiravir) is an antiviral drug that selectively inhibits the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of influenza virus. It is phosphoribosylated by cellular enzymes to its active form, favipiravir-ribofuranosyl-5′-triphosphate (RTP). Favipiravir is active against a broad range of influenza viruses, including A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H5N1) and the recently emerged A(H7N9) avian virus. It also inhibits influenza strains resistant to current antiviral drugs, and shows a synergistic effect in combination with oseltamivir, thereby expanding influenza treatment options. Recently, T-705 has been shown to give 100% protection against aerosol Ebola virus E718 infection in immune-deficient mice as well as inhibiting Ebola virus infection in cell culture.