Biotechnology company Decoy Therapeutics Inc (Nasdaq: DCOY) reported on Monday that a D-MAV antiviral candidate demonstrated in vitro activity against wild-type Ebola Zaire virus, expanding the company's Designable Multi-Antiviral platform into filovirus pandemic preparedness.

The candidate, developed using Decoy's IMP3ACT platform, was originally engineered to target coronavirus entry and has shown broad activity across coronavirus strains. Its activity against Ebola Zaire and Lassa fever virus supports Decoy's approach of developing adaptable antivirals targeting shared viral mechanisms.

Following the results, Decoy has launched an exploratory programme to design D-MAVs against filoviruses including Ebola and Marburg. The company said the findings reinforce the potential of its platform to address high-consequence global health threats.