Cocrystal Pharma Reports Sub-50nM Pan-Viral Inhibitors Targeting Hantavirus and Influenza

Cocrystal Pharma has designed novel direct-acting antivirals that bind a highly conserved region of the viral replication enzyme L-protein, enabling activity across hantavirus, bunyavirus and influenza viruses. These molecules aim to inhibit replication and transcription, leveraging structure-based drug discovery to identify broad-spectrum candidates with high specificity and minimal off-target effects.

Early laboratory testing demonstrated superior antiviral activity with IC50 values below 50 nM against hantaan virus, a close relative of the Andes hantavirus strain linked to recent deadly outbreaks. The company plans to extend in vitro evaluations to the Andes hantavirus replication enzyme to confirm potency against strains with up to 50% case fatality rates.

Cocrystal’s first pan-viral protease inhibitor, CDI-988, has advanced into a Phase 1b norovirus challenge study in the U.S., showcasing the platform’s ability to move candidates rapidly into clinical trials. The structure-based platform employs near-atomic X-ray data to guide rapid optimization of inhibitor binding sites and resistance profiles.

Hantavirus and bunyavirus infections currently lack approved treatments or vaccines, presenting significant medical gaps and ongoing global outbreak risks. Cocrystal intends to explore collaborations and partnerships to support preclinical development, regulatory engagement and eventual clinical testing of its pan-viral replication inhibitors.