Elsulfavirine (trade name Elpida; also known as VM 1500) is drug used to treat

HIV infection The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a preventable disease. It can ...

. It is a

non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor Reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) are a class of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV infection or AIDS, and in some cases hepatitis B. RTIs inhibit activity of reverse transcriptase, a viral DNA polymerase that is required for replicatio ...

(NNRTI). Elsulfavirine is a

prodrug A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive medication or compound that, after intake, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be ...

which is metabolized to the active antiviral agent deselsulfavirine (also known as VM 1500A). It was developed by the Russian company Viriom. In June 2017, elsulfavirine was approved for use in Russia as an oral formulation for the treatment of HIV-1 infections in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. Currently, elsulfavirine is used in antiretroviral therapy regimens in the Russian Federation, which includes the combination elsulfavirine +

lamivudine Lamivudine, commonly called 3TC, is an antiretroviral medication used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. It is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B when other options are not possible. It is effective against both HIV-1 and HIV-2. It is typi ...

(or

emtricitabine Emtricitabine (commonly called FTC, systematic name 2',3'-dideoxy-5-fluoro-3'-thiacytidine), with trade name Emtriva (formerly Coviracil), is a nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) for the prevention and treatment of HIV infection ...

) +

tenofovir Tenofovir disoproxil, sold under the brand name Viread among others, is a medication used to treat chronic hepatitis B and to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. It is generally recommended for use with other antiretrovirals. It may be used for pr ...

. Long-acting injectable formulations of eslulfavarinin and deselsulfavarine are under investigation. In addition,

Roche F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, commonly known as Roche (), is a Switzerland, Swiss multinational corporation, multinational holding healthcare company that operates worldwide under two divisions: Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics. Its holding company, ...

is investigating the use of elsulfavirin for the treatment of COVID-19 and it is currently in Phase II clinical trials for this possible indication.

References

{{Antiretroviral drug Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors Prodrugs Benzonitriles Diphenyl ethers Sulfonamides