Prime Highlight

• Chinese researchers found that the oral antiviral drug VV116 can strongly suppress the Nipah virus, offering hope where no approved treatments or vaccines currently exist.
• Animal trials showed significantly improved survival rates, raising the possibility of faster deployment during future outbreaks.

Key Facts

• The study, published in Emerging Microbes & Infections, found VV116 blocked replication of both Malaysian and Bangladeshi Nipah virus strains by targeting viral RNA polymerase.
• In golden hamster trials, oral VV116 treatment led to nearly 67% survival and reduced viral loads in major organs, including the lungs, spleen, and brain.

Background

Chinese researchers have found that an existing oral antiviral drug may help treat the deadly Nipah virus, which can kill up to 70 percent of infected people. This discovery offers new hope because no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the virus exist yet.

The study, published in the international journal Emerging Microbes & Infections, shows that the drug VV116 strongly suppressed Nipah virus activity in laboratory tests and improved survival rates in animal trials. VV116 is a nucleoside antiviral medicine already approved for COVID-19 treatment in China and Uzbekistan.

Researchers tested the drug against both major Nipah virus strains, the Malaysian strain and the more aggressive Bangladeshi variant. Results showed that VV116 and its active form blocked viral replication by targeting the virus’s RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a key enzyme needed for its spread inside the body.

In tests on golden hamsters, oral doses of VV116 helped nearly 67 percent of the infected animals survive. Treated animals also showed significantly lower viral levels in vital organs such as the lungs, spleen and brain

The research was led by teams from the Wuhan Institute of Virology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with scientists from the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Vigonvita Life Sciences Co., Ltd.

The Nipah virus caused repeated outbreaks in South Asia, India, and Bangladesh between 2023 and 2026. The virus resurfaced in West Bengal earlier this year, leading to deaths and the quarantine of nearly 100 close contacts.

Experts say VV116’s existing safety approvals could speed up its use during outbreaks. Researchers also suggest the drug may help protect healthcare workers and high-risk communities during future outbreaks.