IIT Roorkee Researchers Identify a Potential Drug Against Chikungunya

Roorkee, March 16, 2025: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have studied a new possibility for treating Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever, joint pain, muscle pain, and rash. Their research indicates that Efavirenz, a drug widely used for HIV treatment, may also serve as an effective therapy for Chikungunya disease, as it has been shown to reduce Chikungunya virus replication both in vitro and in mice models.

Chikungunya is a recurring public health concern in India, with cases reported across multiple states each year, according to the National Centre for Vector-Borne Disease Control. Currently, there is no approved antiviral treatment specifically for Chikungunya. The IIT Roorkee study supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found that Efavirenz was able to reduce virus levels in lab-grown cell cultures and in an infected mice model.

"Our findings suggest that Efavirenz can interfere with the virus early in its replication process. Since this drug is already widely used for HIV treatment, further clinical trials can explore its potential for Chikungunya treatment, reducing the time and cost required for developing new antiviral drugs," said Dr. Sanket Nehul, first author of the study.

The study also found that Efavirenz affected the replication of the Sindbis virus, a virus related to Chikungunya. While this raises the possibility that it could work against similar viruses, further studies are needed to confirm these effects in humans.

Prof. Shailly Tomar, the corresponding author, highlighted the significance of these findings, "At present, people infected with Chikungunya rely on symptom management as there is no specific antiviral treatment. Our study provides initial scientific evidence that Efavirenz might be a potential antiviral drug for chikungunya treatment. However, clinical trials will be required to assess its effectiveness in the chikungunya patients."

"At IIT Roorkee, we are committed to research that can address public health challenges. This study is a step toward finding possible solutions for mosquito-borne viral infections," said Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee.

The research has been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. While the findings are promising, further clinical trials studies will be necessary to determine whether Efavirenz can be a safe and effective treatment for Chikungunya in humans.

This study provides scientific evidence that Efavirenz, an existing drug, may help limit the spread of the Chikungunya virus in lab settings. Since it is already approved for another medical condition, further research could explore its potential as a cost-effective and widely available option. However, these findings do not yet confirm Efavirenz as a treatment for Chikungunya additional studies and clinical trials will be required to evaluate its safety and effectiveness for treatment of Chikungunya in patients.