Amped up antiviral

Antivirals approved for use in transplant patients are not active against all double-stranded DNA viruses and carry black-box warnings for nephrotoxicity and myelosuppression. Based on Phase II data, Chimerix Inc.'s broad-spectrum CMX001 may offer a way to treat and prevent CMV infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients without the severe side effects seen with other antivirals.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the herpes virus family that is present in about half of U.S. adults. It is typically asymptomatic but its effects can be severe in immunocompromised individuals. In transplant patients, for example, CMV reactivation can lead to transplant failure, other organ failure and death...