2026-09-01

New Nature Communications study reports a novel Ebola virus entry inhibitor

Our new Nature Communications paper reports MWAC-3634, a highly potent, orally active small-molecule entry inhibitor against Ebola virus with a novel mechanism of action.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-77332-3 

MWAC-3634 stabilizes the Ebola virus glycoprotein, a mechanism distinct from previously reported small-molecule Ebola virus entry inhibitors. It is at least 100-fold more potent than those inhibitors, neutralizing Ebola virus with an IC50 of 0.65 nM. It also showed promising pharmacokinetics in mice and strong protection following oral treatment in a mouse model.

This was a highly collaborative effort involving the University of Minnesota, Baylor College of Medicine, Boston University, and UF Scripps through the Midwest AViDD Center. I am grateful to Fan Bu and Gang Ye in my lab, and to all of our collaborators, for making this exciting discovery possible, and to NIAID for supporting the Midwest AViDD Center.