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Updated: May 15, 2026

Assays for the Identification of Novel Antivirals against Bluetongue Virus
Published on: October 11, 2013
Discovery and optimization of potent broad-spectrum arenavirus inhibitors derived from benzimidazole
Dongcheng Dai1, James R Burgeson, Dima N Gharaibeh
1SIGA Technologies, Inc., 4575 SW Research Way, Suite 230, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA. ddai@siga.com
Abstract:
A chemically diverse library of about 400,000 small molecules was screened for antiviral activity against lentiviral pseudotypes with the Lassa virus envelope glycoprotein (LASV GP) gene incorporated. High-throughput screening resulted in discovery of a hit compound (ST-37) possessing a benzimidazole core which led to a potent compound series. Herein, we report SAR studies which involved structural modifications to the phenyl rings and methylamino linker portion attached to the benzimidazole core. Many analogs in this study possessed single digit nanomolar potency against LASV pseudotypes. Compounds in this benzimidazole series also exhibited nanomolar antiviral activity against pseudotypes generated from other arenavirus envelopes indicating the potential for development of a broad-spectrum inhibitor. Ultimately, lead compound ST-193 was identified and later found to be efficacious in a lethal LASV guinea pig model showing superior protection compared to ribavirin treatment.
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