# IND-Enabling Studies for Arenavirus Preclinical Candidate

> **NIH NIH R01** · ARISAN THERAPEUTICS, INC. · 2023 · $1,085,888

## Abstract

Summary
Arenaviruses comprise a diverse family. Several species are associated with severe
arenaviral hemorrhagic fever (AVHF) in humans. Human infection with arenaviruses
typically occurs through contact with materials contaminated with the excretions of an
infected rodent although direct human- to-human transmission may occur in clinical settings.
AVHF resulting from infection with the Old World arenavirus Lassa is estimated to cause
over 300,000 annual infections in Western Africa, of which 15-20% of hospitalized patients
die while survivors often suffer permanent sequelae. The intravenous administration of the
nonspecific antiviral agent has been adopted ribavirin (off-label) for Lassa virus infections in
Western Africa. However, it has been shown to provide limited efficacy and a significant risk for
serious side effects including thrombocytopenia and anemia. Given the limited treatment
and prophylactic options, the mortality/morbidity rate, the potential for both zoonotic and
human-to-human transmission, geographical transplantation and bio-weaponization
six arenaviruses have been recognized as Category A pathogens. In order to provide a
potent and specific antiviral to treat Lassa and other arenavirus hemorrhagic fevers here we
propose the completion of IND-enabling studies and advanced nonclinical studies for an oral
preclinical candidate entry inhibitor with sub-nanomolar broad spectrum arenavirus activity and
demonstrable drug-like features that exhibits remarkable in vivo therapeutic efficacy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10612905
- **Project number:** 5R01AI160246-03
- **Recipient organization:** ARISAN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Gregory William Henkel
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $1,085,888
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-05-13 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10612905

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10612905, IND-Enabling Studies for Arenavirus Preclinical Candidate (5R01AI160246-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10612905. Licensed CC0.

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