EYU-688 (NITD-688): An Investigational Oral Antiviral for Dengue Fever

I. Executive Summary

EYU-688, also identified in preclinical and early research contexts as NITD-688, is an orally administered small molecule antiviral agent under development by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.[1] This investigational drug is primarily being evaluated for the treatment of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness that poses a significant global health threat. The core mechanism of EYU-688 involves the inhibition of the dengue virus (DENV) non-structural protein 4B (NS4B) and the subsequent disruption of the critical interaction between NS4B and non-structural protein 3 (NS3), an association essential for viral replication.[3]

Currently, EYU-688 is advancing through Phase 2 clinical development, with the key clinical trial identified as NCT06006559 (also known as CEYU688A12201).[2] Preclinical studies have indicated that NITD-688 possesses pan-serotype activity, meaning it is effective against all four known dengue virus serotypes, a crucial attribute for any broadly applicable dengue therapeutic.[5] The development of EYU-688 is supported by collaborative efforts, notably the UTMB-Novartis Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness (UNAPP), which aims to accelerate the discovery and development of antivirals for high-priority pathogens.[3]