The use of nucleoside and nucleotide analogs to inhibit the viral RNA polymerase, thereby preventing propagation of the virus, is a well-documented and historically successful approach to treatment of various viral diseases, including HIV/AIDS, herpes, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

NUCLEOS(T)IDE ANALOGS AND PRODRUGS

Uniquely active against RNA viruses.

Nucleic acids are composed of naturally occurring chemical compounds termed nucleosides and nucleotides and are the main information-carrying molecules of the cell that determine the inherited characteristics of human and viral genetic material by directing the process of protein synthesis. The two main classes of nucleic acids are DNA and RNA. Nucleos(t)ide analogs are synthetic compounds that mimic the structure of naturally occurring nucleosides and nucleotides that target the viral polymerase directly so that it mistakenly incorporates these analogs into nascent nucleic acids, causing inhibition of viral replication. Nucleos(t)ide analogs, compared to other classes of antiviral therapies, have a high barrier to viral resistance due to the conservation of the structure of the polymerase that is required to produce viable virions.

Prodrugs are biologically inactive compounds which are employed to improve drug delivery, bypass rate limiting activation steps, decrease toxicity, and improve the oral bioavailability and permeation of cell membranes by the nucleos(t)ide analog.  Prodrugs of nucleos(t)ide analogs have become the backbone of single-drug and combination-drug therapies to treat life threatening viral infections, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

A graphic illustration of Atea’s different generations of phosphoramidates.

Atea's Oral Antiviral Platform has Potential to Transform Treatment of Severe Viral Diseases

A platform of proprietary purine nucleos(t)ide prodrugs designed specifically to target viral RNA polymerase.

Nucleos(t)ide drugs are well suited for mono- and combination treatment regimens.

Treatment of most RNA viral diseases require combination regimens to prevent drug resistance.

Coronaviridae Icon
Coronaviridae

SARS-CoV-2 and Future Coronaviruses

Flaviviridae Icon
Flaviviridae

HCV

Atea’s Advanced Antiviral Pipeline

Atea is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing oral therapies to address the unmet medical needs of patients with serious viral infections. Currently, Atea is focused on the development of orally-available antiviral agents for serious viral infections, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, and hepatitis C virus (HCV).