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The Journal of the Japanese Society for Clinical Microbiology |
Biblioraphy Information
| ArticleTitle |
Favipiravir (T-705) - viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor - |
| Language |
J |
| AuthorList |
Yousuke Furuta |
| Affiliation |
FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd. |
| Publication |
J.J.C.M.: 29 (2), 58-66, 2019 |
| Received |
January 16, 2019 |
| Accepted |
|
| Abstract |
Favipiravir (T-705; 6-fluoro-3-hydroxypyrazine-2-carboxamide) was discovered through screening a chemical library for anti-viral activity against influenza viruses by Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd. (current FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd.). Favipiravir is a novel anti-viral drug that selectively and potently inhibits the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of RNA viruses. It is phosphoribosylated by cellular enzymes to its active form, favipiravir ribofuranosyl-5'-triphosphate, which is recognized as a substrate by RdRp, and inhibits the RNA polymerase activity. Favipiravir is effective against a wide range of types and subtypes of influenza viruses, including strains resistant to existing anti-influenza drugs. Of note is that favipiravir shows anti-viral activities against other RNA viruses such as Bunyavirales, Arenaviridae and Filoviridae, all of which are known to cause fatal hemorrhagic fever. Such a unique anti-viral profile will make favipiravir a potentially promising drug for untreated infections by RNA viruses. |
| Keywords |
favipiravir, antivirals, influenza virus, RNA virus, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase |
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