Virapinib is a specific inhibitor of macropinocytosis with antiviral activity, limits viral entry by macropinocytosis for several viruses including SARS-CoV-2.
Virapinib presented a dose-dependent effect in limiting SARS-CoV-2 infection in Vero E6 cells and had no detectable toxic or
cytostatic effects.
Virapinib exhibits a dose-dependent effect in inhibiting the infection by SARS-CoV-2 and no detectable toxicity in A549ACE2 cells.
Virapinib showed anti-infective activity against all variants in both Vero E6 and A549ACE2 cells, including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron sub-lineages (e.g. BA.1).
Virapinib efficiently reduced SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in a well-established liver spheroid model of extrapulmonary SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Virapinib selectively inhibited the macropinocytic route, while not having a detectable impact on single-particle entry, the cell membrane or the integrity of intracellular organelles.
Virapinib broadly inhibits infection by Mpox, TBEV and Ebola viruses.