Relenza (zanamivir) / GSK, Vaxart - LARVOL DELTA

Epidemic season 2023-2024: the palette of ARVI pathogens in some territories of the Russian Federation and WHO regions (PubMed, Vopr Virusol) - "Against the background of a relatively low circulation of new SARS-CoV-2 variants in the 2023-2024 season, epidemic activity of influenza viruses was recorded in the countries of the Northern hemisphere at the traditional time. Globally, its onset was associated with the influenza A(H3N2) virus, followed by an increase in the activity of the influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 virus and influenza B. As in previous seasons, differences in the proportion of influenza viruses in WHO regions, including cities of the Russian Federation, were traced."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Novel Coronavirus Disease • Respiratory Diseases

Comparison table: Antiviral drugs for seasonal influenza for 2025-2026. (PubMed, Med Lett Drugs Ther) - No abstract available

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Antiviral drugs for seasonal influenza for 2025-2026. (PubMed, Med Lett Drugs Ther) - No abstract available

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Prophylactic Efficacy of CD388, a Novel Drug-Fc Conjugate, in a Human Influenza A/H3N2 Virus Challenge Model: A Randomized, Controlled Phase 2a Study. (PubMed, Clin Infect Dis) - P2 | "CD388 was well-tolerated and demonstrated prophylactic activity against RT-qPCR-confirmed influenza infection in a human challenge study. The efficacy of CD388 in preventing influenza will be confirmed in larger studies. Clinical Trials Registration.  ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05523089."

Clinical • Journal • P2a data • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Small Molecule Influenza Virus Fusion Inhibitors Targeting Viral Hemagglutinin: Chemical Insights and Antiviral Evaluation. (PubMed, Mini Rev Med Chem) - "A comprehensive literature search was conducted, and studies meeting the predefined inclusion criteria were thoroughly reviewed. By focusing on the chemical structure of these inhibitors, this review provides information for the rational design of new therapeutic agents aimed at preventing or limiting influenza virus infections."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Oral nanoformulation of a host-directed antiviral niclosamide effectively treats severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. (PubMed, Biomed Pharmacother) - "Through target-focused screening, we identified five anti-SFTS candidates: niclosamide (NIC), cepharanthine, nifedipine, zanamivir, and ivacaftor...To address this, we developed NCNP-NIC, an oral nanoparticle formulation encapsulating NIC with tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) via non-covalent interactions...Oral administration of NCNP-NIC at both low (20 mg/kg) and high (40 mg/kg) doses completely cured SFTS in IFNAR-/- mouse model. This work establishes NCNP-NIC as a promising oral therapy for SFTS, while its innovative nanoformulation provides a versatile platform for improving the bioavailability of other poorly soluble antiviral drugs."

Journal • Hematological Disorders • Thrombocytopenia • IFNAR1

Updated insights on memory disorder associated risk of medication: A real-world pharmacovigilance analysis. (PubMed, J Affect Disord) - "This study presents a comprehensive overview of medications that induce memory disorder from a pharmacovigilance perspective, may offering certain references for clinical practice. However, further research is required necessary to elucidate these associations."

Adverse events • Journal • Real-world evidence • Alzheimer's Disease • CNS Disorders • Cognitive Disorders • Dementia • Pain

Repurposing of Some Nucleoside Analogs Targeting Some Key Proteins of the Avian H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b to Combat the Circulating HPAI in Birds: An In Silico Approach. (PubMed, Viruses) - "(3) Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities for both sofosbuvir and GS441524, particularly with the NA and PB2/CBD protein targets...The MM-GBSA binding free energy calculations further supported these findings, as GS441524 displayed more favorable binding energies compared to several known standard inhibitors, including F0045S for HA, Zanamivir for NA, Rimantadine and Amantadine for M2, and PB2-39 for PB2/CBD...These results further support the potential repurposing of GS441524 as a promising therapeutic candidate against H5N1 avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b. However, further functional studies are required to validate these in silico predictions and support the inhibitory action of GS441524 against the targeted proteins of H5N1, specifically clade 2.3.4.4b."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Novel Coronavirus Disease • Respiratory Diseases

Aryl benzoyl hydrazide derivatives as potent inhibitors of the NS2B-NS3 protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of the zika virus. (PubMed, In Silico Pharmacol) - "To identify molecules that can strongly bind to the substrate binding site of the NS2B-NS3 protease of the ZIKV, interactions of several aryl benzoyl hydrazide (ABH) derivatives (10b, 10c, 10g, 11p, and 11q) and some anti-influenza drugs (Zanamivir, Laninamivir, Baloxavir, Oseltamivir, Rimantadine, Peramivir, and Amantadine) with the ZIKV NS2B-NS3 protease are studied herein by using combined density functional theoretic, docking, molecular dynamics (100 ns MD simulations), and free-energy methods...Computed ADMET parameters, Lipinski's rule of five, and binding affinities suggest that 11q would be a better drug candidate against ZIKV infections. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-025-00395-5."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Zanamivir exposure in healthy rats and rats with acute lung injury. (PubMed, Ann Med) - "The absolute bioavailability of nebulised zanamivir was 1.91%. Our findings confirm PK superiority of INH administration to achieve local intrapulmonary exposition and indicate that ALI significantly impairs zanamivir penetration into the lungs from systemic circulation."

Journal • Preclinical • Acute Lung Injury • Inflammation • Pneumonia • Respiratory Diseases

Global update on the susceptibilities of influenza viruses to neuraminidase inhibitors and the cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir, 2020-2023. (PubMed, Antiviral Res) - "This study describes a global analysis of the susceptibility of influenza viruses to neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (NAIs, oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, laninamivir) and the cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor (CENI, baloxavir) for three periods (May to May for 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023)...For zoonotic viruses, 2.7% (3/111) contained substitutions, one each NA-H275Y, NA-S247N and NA-N295S, associated with RI/HRI NAI phenotypes, and none contained PA substitutions associated with RS to baloxavir. In conclusion, the great majority of seasonal and zoonotic influenza viruses remained susceptible to NAIs and CENI baloxavir."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Novel Coronavirus Disease • Respiratory Diseases

Discovery of Novel Natural Inhibitors of H5N1 Neuraminidase Using Integrated Molecular Modeling and ADMET Prediction. (PubMed, Bioengineering (Basel)) - "In contrast, Zanamivir exhibited limited hydrophobic interactions, compromising its binding stability within the active site. These findings offer a rational foundation for further experimental validation and the development of next-generation NA inhibitors derived from natural sources."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of an antiviral drug-Fc conjugate CD388 following subcutaneous administration of 14C-CD388 in the rat. (PubMed, Drug Metab Dispos) - "Catabolism of the Fc domain resulted in formation of metabolites containing the unmodified dimeric zanamivir plus linker. These data support the mode of action of CD388 and demonstrate that the conjugation of zanamivir to the Fc domain is stable, thereby enabling CD388 to maintain its potent antiviral activity."

Journal • Preclinical • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Screening kinase inhibitors identifies MELK as a prime target against influenza virus infections through inhibition of viral mRNA splicing. (PubMed, Front Microbiol) - "Finally, we demonstrated that combining OTS167 with zanamivir or oseltamivir resulted in additive antiviral activity. In conclusion, we identified MELK as a crucial host kinase that supports the influenza virus infection. OTS167, a pharmacological inhibitor of MELK currently undergoing phase II clinical trials for treating cancer, potently inhibits influenza virus infections in vitro and in mice, representing a promising lead for developing novel influenza antivirals."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Oncology • Pneumonia • Respiratory Diseases • CDK1 • MELK

Swine influenza virus surveillance programme pilot to assess the risk for animal and public health, the Netherlands, 2022 to 2023. (PubMed, Euro Surveill) - "Phenotypically, no reduced susceptibility to existing antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir was found.ConclusionWe provided insights into swIAVs in pigs in the Netherlands, including antiviral susceptibility and antigenic differences. It highlighted occasional virus transmission between humans and pigs. Sharing swIAV data at a national level will be continued to reduce influenza burden in swine and support identification and characterisation of emerging swIAVs with zoonotic potential."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

FIFTY-YEAR ANALYSIS OF INFLUENZA VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS AND ANTIVIRAL USE PATTERNS THROUGH MACHINE LEARNING: IMPLICATIONS FOR PAEDIATRIC INFLUENZA MANAGEMENT (ESPID 2025) - "Data were stratified by virus subtypes, including Influenza A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and Influenza B, as well as by the use of major antivirals such as Amantadine, Rimantadine, Zanamivir, Oseltamivir, Peramivir, and Baloxavir...Conclusions/Learning Points This analysis highlights the dynamic nature of influenza vaccine effectiveness and antiviral medication consumption over five decades. The findings underscore the necessity of ongoing research, global surveillance, and adaptability in influenza prevention and treatment strategies to address changing epidemiological patterns, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children."

Machine learning • Infectious Disease • Influenza

Report on influenza viruses received and tested by the Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza during 2023. (PubMed, Commun Dis Intell (2018)) - "The majority of A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses analysed at the Centre were found to be antigenically and genetically similar to the respective WHO recommended vaccine strains for the southern hemisphere in 2023. Of 5,531 samples tested for susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir, seven A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses showed highly reduced inhibition against oseltamivir."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Identification & genetic & virological characterisation of a human case of avian influenza A (H9N2) virus from Eastern India. (PubMed, Indian J Med Res) - "The virus was found to be sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir. Interpretation & conclusions Systematic avian influenza surveillance in both birds and humans is required for the early detection of newly evolved viruses."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Seroprevalence of anti-influenza antibodies in humans and characterization of seasonal influenza viruses isolated in Russia during the 2023-2024 flu season. (PubMed, Arch Virol) - "All of the tested isolates were susceptible to oseltamivir and zanamivir, including two A(H1N1)pdm09 strains with an NA-S247N substitution. Seroprevalence analysis showed that 60%, 54%, and 46% of the human blood samples tested were seropositive for the A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09 and B/Victoria antigens from the 2022-2023 vaccine."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

How to manage antivirals in critically ill patients with Influenza? (PubMed, Clin Microbiol Infect) - "Neuraminidase inhibitors constitute the vast majority of antivirals currently prescribed for influenza. The most commonly prescribed NAI to date is oseltamivir. While its efficacy in non-severe cases of influenza is well established, the evidence for its efficacy in critically ill patients is based on less robust studies, as no randomised controlled trials have been conducted in this population. Limited data on oseltamivir pharmacokinetics is available in critically ill patients. The selection of A(H1N1)pdm09 resistant variants to oseltamivir is particularly problematic in critically-ill patients hospitalised in intensive care units. Data on other antivirals, including NAIs (i.e., zanamivir, peramivir and laninamivir) or baloxavir marboxil in critically ill patients are scarce. Further research is needed to develop new drugs and assess their efficacy in critically ill patients and to better assess the effect of oseltamivir in this population."

Journal • Review • Critical care • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

A monoclonal anti-hemagglutinin stem antibody modified with zanamivir protects against both influenza A and B viruses. (PubMed, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A) - "The MEDI8852-zanamivir conjugate extends the circulatory half-life of zanamivir, targets both influenza HA and NA, and shows enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) compared to MEDI8852 alone. The MEDI8852-zanamivir conjugate protected mice from a lethal (10 × LD50) challenge with influenza A and B viruses at a dose similar to that required for broadly neutralizing anti-NA antibodies, with the added advantage of simultaneously targeting NA (influenza A and B) and HA (influenza A)."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Factors Associated with Antiviral Drug Use among Commercially Insured Children at High Risk for Complications of Influenza. (PubMed, J Pediatr) - "Despite national guidelines recommending that all children at high risk for influenza complications receive antiviral treatment, nearly half of these children at high-risk did not receive an antiviral in our study. We identify several factors associated with decreased antiviral treatment that may serve to inform future interventions aiming to improve the care of vulnerable children with influenza."

Journal • Asthma • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Pediatrics • Pulmonary Disease • Respiratory Diseases

Drug-Fc conjugate CD388 targets influenza virus neuraminidase and is broadly protective in mice. (PubMed, Nat Microbiol) - "CD388 improves the antiviral activity of zanamivir, demonstrating potent, universal activity across influenza A and B viruses, including high pathogenicity and neuraminidase inhibitor resistant strains, a low potential for resistance development and potent efficacy in lethal mouse infection models. These results suggest that CD388 has the potential for universal prevention of influenza A and B in healthy and high-risk populations."

Journal • Preclinical • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Novel derivatives of thiohydantoin-containing tetrahydro-β-carboline possess activity against influenza virus at late stages of viral cycle without affecting viral neuraminidase. (PubMed, Arch Pharm (Weinheim)) - "Of the 23 compounds under investigation, 10 (43.5%) displayed a selectivity index (SI) of 10 or higher, their activity strongly exceeding that of the reference compound rimantadine...However, no direct inhibiting activity against viral neuraminidase has been demonstrated. The results obtained can be considered as a rationale for further structural optimization and study of this group as potential broad-range antivirals effective against influenza viruses."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Antiviral Susceptibility of Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.2.1c and 2.3.4.4b Viruses from Humans, 2023-2024. (PubMed, Emerg Infect Dis) - "In the neuraminidase inhibition assay, all viruses displayed susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, laninamivir, and AV5080...All viruses were susceptible to polymerase inhibitors baloxavir and tivoxavir and to polymerase basic 2 inhibitor pimodivir with 50% effective concentrations in low nanomolar ranges. Because drug-resistant viruses can emerge spontaneously or by reassortment, close monitoring of antiviral susceptibility of H5N1 viruses collected from animals and humans by using sequence-based analysis supplemented with phenotypic testing is essential."

Journal • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases