Chemistry:Adibelivir
Adibelivir also known as IM-250 is an anti-herpetic drug candidate[1] developed by Innovative Molecules Gmbh.[2] The drug was conceived by a chemist at the company, who hypothesized that swapping the sulfonamide functional group of pritelivir for a sulfoximine would reduce off-target effects. In addition, the pyridine ring on pritelivir was changed to a 2,5-difluorobenzene ring to make the drug candidate more likely to enter the central nervous system as herpes can lie dormant within neurons.[3]
Innovative Molecules raised 20 million euro for clinical trials on humans.[4]
Clinical development
In June 2023, Innovative Molecules announced that the first subjects had been dosed in a German Phase 1 clinical trial of IM-250.[5][6]
By January 2026, the company announced completion of its Phase 1 clinical development program and advancement into Phase 2 clinical testing for recurrent genital herpes.[7]
Mechanism of action
IM-250 is a helicase-primase inhibitor,[1] which interferes with viral DNA replication.
Partnerships and licensing
In January 2026, Innovative Molecules entered a strategic licensing agreement with Italian pharmaceutical company Alfasigma for development of a parenteral formulation of IM-250, for the treatment of HSV Encephalitis.[8]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "A helicase-primase drug candidate with sufficient target tissue exposure affects latent neural herpes simplex virus infections". Science Translational Medicine 13 (598). June 2021. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.abf8668. PMID 34135112.
- ↑ "Drug Candidate Shows 'Potent Anti-Herpes Activity'". 17 June 2021. https://scienceblog.cincinnatichildrens.org/drug-candidate-shows-potent-anti-herpes-activity/.
- ↑ "Small molecule fights active and latent herpes infections in rodents". American Chemical Society. 21 January 2025. https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/drug-discovery/Small-molecule-fights-active-latent/99/i23.
- ↑ "New Opportunities for the Utilization of the Sulfoximine Group in Medicinal Chemistry from the Drug Designer's Perspective". Chemistry – A European Journal (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) 28 (56). October 2022. doi:10.1002/chem.202201993. PMID 35789054. Bibcode: 2022ChEuJ..28E1993L.
- ↑ "Innovative Molecules Announces First Subjects Dosed in the German Phase 1 Clinical Trial of IM-250 - Innovative Molecules". https://www.innovativemolecules.com/innovative-molecules-announces-first-subjects-dosed-in-the-german-phase-1-clinical-trial-of-im-250.
- ↑ Innovative Molecules GmbH (2024-10-22). Phase I Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Single Doses of IM-250 in Healthy Volunteers (Report). clinicaltrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06435507.
- ↑ "Innovative Molecules Announces Completion of Phase 1 Program and Advancement to Phase 2 for Oral Adibelivir - Innovative Molecules". https://www.innovativemolecules.com/innovative-molecules-announces-completion-of-phase-1-program-and-advancement-to-phase-2-for-oral-adibelivir.
- ↑ "Munich's Innovative Molecules signs €125M partnership with Alfasigma to advance HSV encephalitis antiviral" (in en-US). 2026-01-15. https://european-biotechnology.com/latest-news/125-million-deal-comes-as-a-big-surprise/.
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