LTX-109 as a broad-spectrum antiviral: in vitro and in vivo efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses

LTX-109 is a peptidomimetic compound that acts by disrupting the envelope of microorganisms, making it effective even against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this study, we first evaluated its virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 and various influenza strains by incubating the viruses with different concentrations of the compound and subsequently assessing the residual viral load in infected cell cultures. Furthermore, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of LTX-109 in a Syrian hamster model by administering it to animals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Our findings demonstrate that LTX-109 is a broad-spectrum antiviral compound capable of significantly reducing the viral load of different enveloped respiratory viruses. Moreover, its efficacy in an in vivo model supports the potential for further investigation in clinical studies.