Small-Molecule Therapeutics for Ebola Virus (EBOV) Disease Treatment

The current epidemic of Ebola virus (EBOV) hemorrhagic fever in sub-Saharan West-African countries, in terms of severity, is second only to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Besides the strong pathogenicity of EBOV, the unprecedented fatality rates (up to 90%) are partially the result of a near total absence of any proper vaccines and therapeutics to combat the EBOV epidemic. This review highlights the recent progress in identification of purely chemical, small-molecule drugs of considerable potential to be used as effective therapeutics for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of EBOV. In particular, we profile three compounds - favipiravir, BCX-4430, and brincidofovir - identified by the World Health Organization as high-priority targets. The detailed syntheses and modes of antiviral activity of these drugs are critically discussed. The major goal of this review is to encourage the chemistry community to focus research on this area of high social impact.