Atea Pharmaceuticals disclosed that its lead hepatitis E virus (HEV) candidate, AT‑587, demonstrated 30‑150‑fold greater in‑vitro potency than the current standard of care, sofosbuvir, and the off‑label agent ribavirin, during presentations at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) held in Denver from February 22‑25, 2026.
The preclinical study, performed in human liver cell cultures, showed that both AT‑587 and its partner candidate AT‑2490 produced high concentrations of the active metabolite without any observable toxicity. In addition, the compounds inhibited a panel of flaviviruses, rubella, and chikungunya, suggesting a broad antiviral spectrum beyond HEV.
Atea plans to launch a Phase 1 clinical program for AT‑587 in the second half of 2026, enrolling immunocompromised patients with chronic HEV genotype 3 or 4 infections. The program will evaluate safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in a population that currently has no approved antiviral therapy.
"We are excited to share these preclinical results at CROI showing the potent activity and promising in‑vitro safety profiles of AT‑2490 and AT‑587, our HEV product candidate. These results underscore the potential of AT‑587 as a first‑in‑class direct‑acting antiviral for HEV," said Jean‑Pierre Sommadossi, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Atea. "With no antivirals currently marketed for HEV, AT‑587 has the potential to address a significant unmet need for a treatment option for patients with chronic HEV infection who are immunocompromised or at high risk for rapid progression to cirrhosis. We look forward to advancing AT‑587 to a Phase 1 program mid‑year."
Atea’s announcement is significant not only for its HEV pipeline but also for its broader antiviral potential. The company’s concurrent Phase 3 program for a hepatitis C virus (HCV) regimen, bemnifosbuvir/ruzasvir, underscores a strategic focus on antiviral therapeutics. The broad activity profile of AT‑587 could open additional indications, positioning Atea as a versatile player in the antiviral market and potentially expanding its future revenue streams.
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