AI Drug Discovery for Pharma and Biotech

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].

Population

  • Endemic in sub-Saharan Africa; sporadic outbreaks linked to zoonotic transmission (e.g., fruit bats, primates) [6][17].

  • High-risk groups include healthcare workers, caregivers, and those participating in unsafe burial practices [2][7].

Burden

  • Mortality: Up to 90% in untreated cases; 55–60% in recent outbreaks with advanced care [12][17].

  • Economic impact: The 2014–2016 epidemic caused $30–50 billion in economic losses [4].

  • Long-term sequelae: Survivors face myelitis, uveitis, and psychiatric disorders [1][6].

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

Research Papers

2,102 drug discovery papers related to Ebola hemorrhagic fever, with 3 first-in-class and 19 next-in-class early-stage therapies forecasted to outperform the average preclinical success rate. Recent publications:

2,102 drug discovery papers related to Ebola hemorrhagic fever, with 3 first-in-class and 19 next-in-class early-stage therapies forecasted to outperform the average preclinical success rate. Recent publications:

2026-07-11 | Coagulopathy in viral haemorrhagic fevers and beyond: molecular mechanisms and targeted interventions.

Coagulopathy refers to any medical condition which affects the ability of the blood to clot. It can be caused due to genetic conditions like haemophilia, von Willebrand disease, or it can be caused through liver disease or deficiency of Vitamin K. It also involves a broad range of diseases affecting hemostasis as an unbalanced and even bidirectional relationship between thrombosis and bleeding. Coagulopathy can also be caused by thromboinflammation, as seen in VHFs like Ebola, Dengue, Marburg, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Yellow Fever, and Hantavirus infection. The immune response and coagulation system are intricately linked in such cases. Infections from VHFs cause endothelial cell dysfunction through the immune response, monocytes/macrophages activation, and increased expression of tissue factor (TF), which in turn causes excessive thrombin production and fibrin formation. These conditions result in microvascular thrombosis, organ dysfunction, consumption of platelets and coagulation factors, causing a balanced but fragile state of hemostasis that could tip over towards either thrombosis or bleeding. New therapies have been developed that interfere with these processes, such as interference with the TF pathway (for instance, rNAPc2) and regulation of fibrinolysis (tranexamic acid). The recognition of the double-edged sword of coagulopathy is critical for the development of treatment strategies targeting coagulation disorders. This literature review discusses the molecular basis of immunothrombosis and endothelial dysfunction in VHFs.

Open article ↗



2026-06-30 | Ebola Virus Disease: What We Know, How Deadly It is, and How It Spreads Compared to COVID-19?

Prevention (CDC) noting that, without treatment, up to 90% of cases can be fatal. 10Across outbreaks, the WHO summarizes an average CFR of around 50% and emphasizes wide variability (25-90%) in past outbreaks. 4 Syntheses of multiple outbreaks also find high overall lethality.A meta-analysis covering 42 outbreaks (1976-2022) reported a pooled CFR of 60.6% (95% CI 51.6-69.4) and estimated that the CFR declined over time but stabilized at around 61.0% (95% CI 52.0-69.0) between 2014 and 2022. 13Another meta-analysis reported an overall CFR estimate of 65.4% (95% CI 54.6-75.5),with substantial variation among outbreaks. 14The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) similarly cites a weighted CFR of 65.0% (95% CI 54.0-76.0)and highlights higher fatality for Zaire ebolavirus (75%) than for Sudan ebolavirus (53%). 2 Lethality differs by virus species.In the 1976-2022 metaanalysis, Zaire virus had the highest CFR estimate (66.6%), followed by Sudan virus (48.5%),Bundibugyo virus (32.8%), and Taï Forest virus (0%). 13linical features associated with mortality (useful for triage and clinical monitoring) have been summarized in pooled analyses; fatal cases more often had bleeding events, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain than survivors in one meta-analysis of clinical findings. 15 How deadly I S It?Severity is driven by both the clinical syndrome and the historically high fatality rate, with the Centers for Disease Control and

Open article ↗



2026-06-28 | A New Proposal for Host-Directed Therapy in Ebola Virus Disease: Ozone Autohemotherapy as an Adjunctive Approach Within a Systems Biology Framework

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) remains one of the most lethal viral hemorrhagic fevers, with mortality driven not only by viral replication but also by a dysregulated host response characterized by hyperinflammation, endothelial dysfunction, coagulopathy, metabolic derangement and multi-organ failure. Although monoclonal antibodies and vaccination have substantially improved outcomes, currently available interventions primarily target the virus and do not directly address the complex host-response networks that contribute to advanced disease and mortality. Here, we propose a systems biology framework for evaluating Ozone Autohemotherapy (O₃-AHT), specifically Major Autohemotherapy (MAH), as a host-directed adjunctive strategy in EVD. The framework is based on the capacity of O₃-AHT to generate controlled redox signals through Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Lipid Ozonation Products (LOPs), which activate adaptive stress-response pathways including the Nrf2/Keap1/Antioxidant Response Element (ARE) system, the AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK)-Forkhead Box O (FOXO)-mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR)-sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) axis and Nrf2-mediated modulation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. These interconnected pathways regulate antioxidant defenses, mitochondrial adaptation, autophagy, inflammatory responses, endothelial homeostasis and immune regulation-biological processes that intersect with major pathogenic mechanisms of EVD. Particular attention is given to Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a downstream effector of Nrf2 activation for which experimental evidence demonstrates suppression of Ebola virus replication in-vitro, providing a mechanistic bridge between host-directed redox modulation and antiviral activity. By integrating current knowledge from virology, immunology, redox biology and systems medicine, this framework identifies multiple points of convergence between ozone-induced adaptive signaling and Ebola pathophysiology. This work does not establish clinical efficacy but presents a hypothesis-generating model intended to guide future experimental investigation. As a conceptual framework, it proposes O₃-AHT as a candidate host-directed adjunctive approach that warrants systematic evaluation in preclinical models of Ebola virus disease.

Open article ↗



2026-07-11 | Coagulopathy in viral haemorrhagic fevers and beyond: molecular mechanisms and targeted interventions.

Coagulopathy refers to any medical condition which affects the ability of the blood to clot. It can be caused due to genetic conditions like haemophilia, von Willebrand disease, or it can be caused through liver disease or deficiency of Vitamin K. It also involves a broad range of diseases affecting hemostasis as an unbalanced and even bidirectional relationship between thrombosis and bleeding. Coagulopathy can also be caused by thromboinflammation, as seen in VHFs like Ebola, Dengue, Marburg, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Yellow Fever, and Hantavirus infection. The immune response and coagulation system are intricately linked in such cases. Infections from VHFs cause endothelial cell dysfunction through the immune response, monocytes/macrophages activation, and increased expression of tissue factor (TF), which in turn causes excessive thrombin production and fibrin formation. These conditions result in microvascular thrombosis, organ dysfunction, consumption of platelets and coagulation factors, causing a balanced but fragile state of hemostasis that could tip over towards either thrombosis or bleeding. New therapies have been developed that interfere with these processes, such as interference with the TF pathway (for instance, rNAPc2) and regulation of fibrinolysis (tranexamic acid). The recognition of the double-edged sword of coagulopathy is critical for the development of treatment strategies targeting coagulation disorders. This literature review discusses the molecular basis of immunothrombosis and endothelial dysfunction in VHFs.

Open article ↗



2026-06-30 | Ebola Virus Disease: What We Know, How Deadly It is, and How It Spreads Compared to COVID-19?

Prevention (CDC) noting that, without treatment, up to 90% of cases can be fatal. 10Across outbreaks, the WHO summarizes an average CFR of around 50% and emphasizes wide variability (25-90%) in past outbreaks. 4 Syntheses of multiple outbreaks also find high overall lethality.A meta-analysis covering 42 outbreaks (1976-2022) reported a pooled CFR of 60.6% (95% CI 51.6-69.4) and estimated that the CFR declined over time but stabilized at around 61.0% (95% CI 52.0-69.0) between 2014 and 2022. 13Another meta-analysis reported an overall CFR estimate of 65.4% (95% CI 54.6-75.5),with substantial variation among outbreaks. 14The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) similarly cites a weighted CFR of 65.0% (95% CI 54.0-76.0)and highlights higher fatality for Zaire ebolavirus (75%) than for Sudan ebolavirus (53%). 2 Lethality differs by virus species.In the 1976-2022 metaanalysis, Zaire virus had the highest CFR estimate (66.6%), followed by Sudan virus (48.5%),Bundibugyo virus (32.8%), and Taï Forest virus (0%). 13linical features associated with mortality (useful for triage and clinical monitoring) have been summarized in pooled analyses; fatal cases more often had bleeding events, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain than survivors in one meta-analysis of clinical findings. 15 How deadly I S It?Severity is driven by both the clinical syndrome and the historically high fatality rate, with the Centers for Disease Control and

Open article ↗



2026-06-28 | A New Proposal for Host-Directed Therapy in Ebola Virus Disease: Ozone Autohemotherapy as an Adjunctive Approach Within a Systems Biology Framework

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) remains one of the most lethal viral hemorrhagic fevers, with mortality driven not only by viral replication but also by a dysregulated host response characterized by hyperinflammation, endothelial dysfunction, coagulopathy, metabolic derangement and multi-organ failure. Although monoclonal antibodies and vaccination have substantially improved outcomes, currently available interventions primarily target the virus and do not directly address the complex host-response networks that contribute to advanced disease and mortality. Here, we propose a systems biology framework for evaluating Ozone Autohemotherapy (O₃-AHT), specifically Major Autohemotherapy (MAH), as a host-directed adjunctive strategy in EVD. The framework is based on the capacity of O₃-AHT to generate controlled redox signals through Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Lipid Ozonation Products (LOPs), which activate adaptive stress-response pathways including the Nrf2/Keap1/Antioxidant Response Element (ARE) system, the AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK)-Forkhead Box O (FOXO)-mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR)-sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) axis and Nrf2-mediated modulation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. These interconnected pathways regulate antioxidant defenses, mitochondrial adaptation, autophagy, inflammatory responses, endothelial homeostasis and immune regulation-biological processes that intersect with major pathogenic mechanisms of EVD. Particular attention is given to Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a downstream effector of Nrf2 activation for which experimental evidence demonstrates suppression of Ebola virus replication in-vitro, providing a mechanistic bridge between host-directed redox modulation and antiviral activity. By integrating current knowledge from virology, immunology, redox biology and systems medicine, this framework identifies multiple points of convergence between ozone-induced adaptive signaling and Ebola pathophysiology. This work does not establish clinical efficacy but presents a hypothesis-generating model intended to guide future experimental investigation. As a conceptual framework, it proposes O₃-AHT as a candidate host-directed adjunctive approach that warrants systematic evaluation in preclinical models of Ebola virus disease.

Open article ↗



Access all drug discovery articles and probability of success in trials forecasts:

Access all drug discovery articles and probability of success in trials forecasts:

Drug Discovery Landscape

22 orphan drug designations for Ebola hemorrhagic fever, including 2 approved therapies.

22 orphan drug designations for Ebola hemorrhagic fever, including 2 approved therapies.

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.

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228 Park Ave S,
New York, USA.

At Explority, we build first-of-its-kind AI to bring clarity to the earliest and riskiest stages of pharmaceutical research by forecasting which therapies are most likely to succeed. Explority AI web and mobile applications are properties of the Explority AI Inc., a company registered in the United States (File No. 10320493).
For all questions: support@explority.ai

Copyright © 2026 Explority AI Inc.

Explority AI logo

228 Park Ave S,
New York, USA.

At Explority, we build first-of-its-kind AI to bring clarity to the earliest and riskiest stages of pharmaceutical research by forecasting which therapies are most likely to succeed. Explority AI web and mobile applications are properties of the Explority AI Inc., a company registered in the United States (File No. 10320493).
For all questions: support@explority.ai

Copyright © 2026 Explority AI Inc.

Explority AI logo

228 Park Ave S,
New York, USA.

At Explority, we build first-of-its-kind AI to bring clarity to the earliest and riskiest stages of pharmaceutical research by forecasting which therapies are most likely to succeed. Explority AI web and mobile applications are properties of the Explority AI Inc., a company registered in the United States (File No. 10320493).
For all questions: support@explority.ai

Copyright © 2026 Explority AI Inc.