Targeting Ebola virus replication through pharmaceutical intervention

Introduction. The consistent emergence/reemergence of filoviruses into a world that previously lacked an approved pharmaceutical intervention parallels experience repeatedly played-out for most other emerging pathogenic zoonotic viruses. Investment to preemptively develop effective and low-cost prophylactic therapeutic interventions against viruses have high potential emergence societal impact should be priority.Areas covered. Candidate drugs can characterized those interfere with cellular processes required Ebola virus (EBOV) replication (host-directed), directly target virally encoded functions (direct-acting). We discuss strategies identify EBOV infections. PubMed/Web Science databases were searched establish detailed catalog these interventions.Expert opinion. Many drug candidates show promising in vitro inhibitory activity, but shows the general lack translation vivo efficacy host-directed repurposed drugs. Better is seen direct-acting antivirals, particular monoclonal antibodies. FDA-approved antibody treatment, Inmazeb™ success story could improved terms on EBOV-associated disease mortality, possibly by combination agents targeting distinct aspects viral cycle. Costs need addressed given primarily under-resourced countries.