KIN1408 is a small molecule activator of the RIG-1-like receptor (RLR) pathway that has antiviral activity. It induces interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) activation and translocation into the nucleus in a concentration-dependent manner in HEK293 cells without inducing cellular toxicity. KIN1408 induces expression of the innate immune genes MDA5, RIG-1, Mx1, IRF7, and IFIT1 in THP-1 cells stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 12-acetate (PMA; ). It exhibits concentration-dependent broad-spectrum antiviral activity against dengue virus 2 as well as the influenza A, Ebola, Nipah, and Lassa viruses.
