DIMINAZENE 
as a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral by Suppressing Receptor Endocytosis

"Fighting viral threats before they reach the battlefield."

CATEGORY

Antiviral Therapeutics • Host-Targeted Entry Inhibition • Infectious Disease Defense

OPERATIONAL RELEVANCE

Military personnel are at increased risk of exposure to viral threats in high-risk deployment zones, humanitarian missions, and crowded environments. Diminazene is a repurposed therapeutic that blocks viral entry through a host-directed mechanism, helping reduce morbidity from diverse viruses and improving mission continuity. It fills a critical gap in the early intervention antiviral landscape for forward-operating forces.

TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY

Originally an anti-trypanosomal drug, Diminazene aceturate prevents receptor-mediated endocytosis by stabilizing viral entry receptors (such as ACE2) on host cells. This novel mechanism interrupts early viral infection stages, limiting uptake and replication across multiple virus families including coronaviruses, flaviviruses, and filoviruses. In vivo studies have demonstrated reduced viral loads and improved survival outcomes.

MILITARY-ALIGNED BENEFITS

• Broad-spectrum antiviral activity across multiple virus types
• Host-targeted action reduces risk of drug resistance
• Effective in early stages of infection and post-exposure settings
• Supports force protection during outbreaks and pandemics
• Readily adaptable for deployment in austere environments

USE SCENARIOS

• Pre-exposure prophylaxis and early post-exposure treatment
• Integration into field medical kits and biothreat response platforms
• DoD stockpiling for emerging and re-emerging infectious threats
• Joint development with antiviral pipelines for pandemic preparedness

TECHNOLOGY READINESS & IP

• Technology ID: LSUHSC-S-2020-026-01
• TRL: 3 – Preclinical in vivo validation underway
• Patent Status: Patent pending for antiviral use

COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking partners to:

• Co-develop Diminazene as a deployable broad-spectrum antiviral
• Conduct IND-enabling studies and formulation development
• Evaluate use in early-stage or post-exposure prophylaxis models
• Collaborate under CRADA, SBIR/STTR, or military infectious disease initiatives
• Align with force protection strategies and DoD pandemic preparedness efforts