TEL AVIV, Israel and RALEIGH, N.C., June 2, 2026
RedHill Biopharma has announced efforts to advance the clinical development of its investigational drug opaganib as a potential treatment option for the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak involving the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus subtype, a strain for which there are currently no approved vaccines or therapies. The company is actively exploring collaborations with global health organizations, including the World Health Organization’s SOLIDARITY CORE clinical trial platform, to accelerate evaluation of the oral antiviral candidate as part of global outbreak response and biodefense preparedness initiatives.
Novel Dual-Action Approach Targets Ebola Virus Disease
The current Ebola outbreak has intensified the search for innovative therapeutic approaches capable of addressing emerging viral threats. Opaganib, a first-in-class investigational SPHK2 inhibitor, is being positioned as a unique host-directed antiviral therapy that may complement existing direct-acting antiviral treatments. Unlike therapies that target the virus directly, opaganib acts on host-cell pathways essential for viral replication and survival, potentially reducing the risk of treatment resistance caused by viral mutations.
According to RedHill, preclinical studies demonstrated that opaganib inhibited Ebola virus infection in human macrophages and showed survival benefits in animal models. Additional research revealed a synergistic effect when combined with remdesivir, suggesting enhanced antiviral activity while maintaining cell viability. The company believes this dual mechanism may provide an important advantage in combating highly pathogenic viral infections such as Ebola.
Clinical Data Supports Further Development
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The company’s confidence in advancing opaganib for Ebola is supported by previously generated clinical evidence. In a Phase III study involving patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19, opaganib demonstrated a 70.2% reduction in mortality when administered alongside standard-of-care treatment, including remdesivir and corticosteroids. The therapy also showed faster viral RNA clearance and established a favorable safety profile across more than 470 clinical trial participants.
Researchers believe opaganib’s inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway, combined with suppression of inflammatory mediators including IL-6, TNF-alpha, and the NLRP3 inflammasome, may help address both viral replication and the severe immune dysregulation associated with viral hemorrhagic fevers. These mechanisms are particularly relevant in Ebola infection, where excessive inflammation and vascular leakage contribute significantly to disease severity and mortality.
Strengthening Global Biodefense Preparedness
As health authorities continue to monitor the expanding Ebola outbreak, RedHill is emphasizing the practical advantages of opaganib for outbreak response. The investigational therapy is administered orally and can be stored and distributed without complex cold-chain requirements, making it particularly suitable for deployment in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.
The company has already provided clinical, preclinical, and supply readiness information to relevant government agencies, public health organizations, and industry stakeholders to facilitate discussions regarding rapid clinical evaluation. RedHill believes that host-directed therapies such as opaganib could become an important component of future biodefense strategies by offering broad-spectrum activity against multiple viral pathogens while complementing existing antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments.
With global attention focused on controlling the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, the advancement of opaganib highlights the growing importance of innovative antiviral approaches designed to improve preparedness for emerging infectious disease threats and strengthen international public health response capabilities.
Source: RedHill Biopharma press release
