Favipiravir (T-705) is an antiviral agent developed by Shiraki,
et al. It has been found to have potent and selective inhibitory activity against RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of RNA viruses, such as influenza A, B, and C viruses.
1-4) Its ribose-5’-triphosphate is the active metabolite, and it is recognized by virus RNA polymerase as a substrate competing with guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP), giving inhibition of viral RNA synthesis. On the other hand, it has been pointed out that favipiravir has a risk for teratogenicity and embryotoxicity.
4) Recently, favipiravir has been also reported to show potential anti Ebola virus and coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) activities.
4-7) For your reference, T-1105 [
H1485], an antiviral agent, is an analog replacing the 6-fluoro atom to hydrogen. (The product is for research purpose only.)