EIDD-1723

File:EIDD-1723.svg

EIDD-1723

EIDD-1723 is an antiviral drug candidate that is being developed for the treatment of COVID-19. It is a prodrug of the active compound EIDD-2801, which is metabolized in the body to N4-hydroxycytidine, a nucleoside analog that inhibits viral RNA polymerase.

History

EIDD-1723 was first synthesized by researchers at Emory University's Drug Innovation Ventures (DRIVE). The compound was later licensed to Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, a Miami-based biotechnology company, for further development and clinical testing.

Mechanism of Action

EIDD-1723 works by introducing copying errors into the viral genome during replication. The active metabolite, N4-hydroxycytidine, is incorporated into the viral RNA by the viral RNA polymerase. This causes a high rate of mutation in the viral genome, leading to a phenomenon known as "error catastrophe" or "lethal mutagenesis".

Clinical Trials

In 2020, EIDD-1723 entered Phase 1 clinical trials for safety and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. The drug is also being tested in animal models for efficacy against a range of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Potential Applications

In addition to its potential use in treating COVID-19, EIDD-1723 may also have applications in the treatment of other viral diseases. Preclinical studies have shown that the drug has broad-spectrum antiviral activity against a range of RNA viruses, including influenza, Ebola, and coronaviruses.

See Also

• EIDD-2801
• N4-hydroxycytidine
• COVID-19 drug development