MediVector said to be planning submission for Ebola

MediVector Inc. (Boston, Mass.) could not be reached for comment on media reports that it is in talks with FDA to submit an application to use influenza candidate favipiravir ( T-705) as a treatment for Ebola. MediVector is developing the product for infectious diseases under a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense worth up to $138.5 million. According to Bloomberg, DoD has "prioritized the completion" of a preclinical study testing the drug in Ebola-infected monkeys, from which preliminary data are expected in mid-September.

The viral polymerase inhibitor is in Phase III testing to treat seasonal influenza virus. According to MediVector, favipiravir has shown efficacy in eight families of RNA viruses, including those covering hepatitis C, rubella, dengue, influenza and Ebola. The company has rights to favipiravir from the Toyama Chemical Co. Ltd. subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Corp. (Tokyo:4901). ...