Zanamivir-Amantadine Conjugate: A Dual-Action Agent with Broad-Spectrum Synergistic Antiviral Efficacy

J Med Chem. 2026 Mar 12;69(5):6063-6083. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c03547. Epub 2026 Feb 26.

Abstract

Influenza A virus is a highly contagious respiratory pathogen, and its rapid and continuous adaptive mutations for immune escape have limited the efficacy of existing vaccines and antiviral drugs. Here, we report a multimechanism anti-influenza platform based on the conjugation of zanamivir (ZMV) with amantadine (Aman). Aman acts as a hydrophobic tag that promotes the degradation of neuraminidase and concurrently enhances the physicochemical properties of ZMV, leading to improved membrane permeability and a significantly prolonged half-life. Meanwhile, the ZMV moiety counteracts Aman-induced cytotoxic autophagy. The resulting conjugate, compound 7j, exhibits potent activity against a wide range of neuraminidase and M2 ion channel mutations. Notably, a single intravenous dose of 7j fully protected mice from a lethal H1N1 challenge. Our work demonstrates that the rational fusion of ZMV and Aman achieves synergistic multimechanistic antiviral activity with enhanced efficacy and safety, offering a new strategy for the development of next-generation anti-influenza drugs.

MeSH terms

  • Amantadine* / chemistry
  • Amantadine* / pharmacology
  • Amantadine* / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents* / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Dogs
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / drug effects
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Neuraminidase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neuraminidase / genetics
  • Neuraminidase / metabolism
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / drug therapy
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Zanamivir* / chemistry
  • Zanamivir* / pharmacology
  • Zanamivir* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Zanamivir
  • Amantadine
  • Neuraminidase