Nonhuman primates are protected from smallpox virus or monkeypox virus challenges by the antiviral drug ST-246.

ST-246, a potent orthopoxvirus egress inhibitor, is safe and effective at preventing disease and death in studies of small-animal models involving challenge by several different pathogenic poxviruses. In this report, the antiviral efficacy of ST-246 in treatment of nonhuman primates infected with variola virus or monkeypox virus was assessed. The data indicate that oral dosing once per day with ST-246 protects animals from poxvirus disease, as measured by reductions in viral load and numbers of lesions and enhancement of survival.