

Drug discovery
22
drugs
With orphan designations
Overview
Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), caused by Orthoebolavirus species, is a severe viral illness characterized by abrupt fever, myalgia, and gastrointestinal symptoms, progressing to hemorrhagic manifestations, multi-organ failure, and shock. Case fatality ranges from 50% to 90%, depending on the viral species and healthcare access [2][9][17]. Transmission occurs via direct contact with infected body fluids, with outbreaks primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Diagnosis relies on PCR detection, while treatment combines monoclonal antibodies (REGN-EB3, mAb114) for Ebola Zaire and aggressive supportive care [1][8][10][20].
Therapies
Monoclonal antibodies: REGN-EB3 and mAb114 (FDA-approved for Zaire ebolavirus), reducing mortality when administered early [8][10][16].
Supportive care: IV fluids, electrolyte replacement, and management of sepsis/septic shock [5][16][20].
Investigational agents: Oral antivirals (e.g., obeldesivir) show promise in preclinical trials [13].
Categories: rare infectious diseases
Drug Discovery Landscape
Drug | Therapy type | Regulator | Orphan designation | Approval | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
subunit protein vaccine of recombinantly expressed Sudan Ebola virus glycoprotein | vaccines | FDA | 2024-04-08 | — | Soligenix, Inc. |
Rintatolimod | RNAs | FDA | 2022-10-31 | — | AIM ImmunoTech Inc. |
Two immunoglobulin subclass 1 (IgG1) human monoclonal antibodies that target the Sudan ebolavirus glycoprotein | antibodies | FDA | 2022-06-03 | — | Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. |
ansuvimab | antibodies | FDA | 2020-03-30 | — | Emergent Manufacturing Operations Baltimore LLC |
atoltivimab, odesivimab and maftivimab | antibodies | FDA | 2019-12-23 | — | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
quinacrine | small molecules | FDA | 2019-09-10 | — | Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
ansuvimab-zykl [EBANGA™] | antibodies | FDA | 2019-05-08 | 2020-12-21 | Emergent Manufacturing Operations Baltimore LLC |
pyronaridine tetraphosphate | small molecules | FDA | 2019-02-28 | — | Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
Three human monoclonal antibodies against the Ebola virus glycoprotein | antibodies | EMA | 2018-05-25 | — | Regeneron Ireland Designated Activity Company (DAC) |
tilorone dihydrochloride | small molecules | FDA | 2018-02-07 | — | Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
Ranpirnase | proteins | FDA | 2017-07-14 | — | Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. |
Monovalent replication-incompetent adenovirus serotype 26 (Ad26) vaccine, AD26.ZEBOV in combination with multivalent replication-defective Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA)-Bavarian Nordic (BN) vaccine, MVA-mBN226B | vaccines | FDA | 2017-01-11 | — | Janssen Vaccines and Prevention B.V. |
atoltivimab, maftivimab, and odesivimab-ebgn [INMAZEB™] | antibodies | FDA | 2016-07-14 | 2020-10-14 | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
aphidicolin | small molecules | FDA | 2016-04-20 | — | Biospherics.net LLC |
2-ethylbutyl (2S)-2-{[(S)-{[(2R,3S,4R,5R)-5-(4-aminopyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-7-yl)-5-cyano-3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl]methoxy}(phenoxy)phosphoryl]amino}propanoate | small molecules | EMA | 2016-02-17 | — | Gilead Sciences Ireland UC |
Porgaviximab | antibodies | EMA | 2015-10-09 | — | Granzer Regulatory Consulting & Services GmbH |
Remdesivir | small molecules | FDA | 2015-09-18 | — | Gilead Sciences, Inc. |
Rintatolimod | RNAs | EMA | 2015-04-24 | — | NV Hemispherx BioPharma Europe |
Fibrinogen-coated albumin spheres | other | EMA | 2015-02-12 | — | Fibreu Limitless Research S.L. |
recombinant nematode anticoagulant protein c2 (rNAPc2) | proteins | FDA | 2014-12-08 | — | ARCA Biopharma, Inc. |
monoclonal antibody consisting of three mouse/human chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibodies (c2G4, c4G7, and c13C6) that target Ebola virus | antibodies | FDA | 2014-08-25 | — | LeafBio, Inc. |
5'-GCCATGGTTTTTTCTCAGG-3' | antibodies | FDA | 2012-10-31 | — | Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. |