What is "tecovirimat"

n. An antiviral drug with activity against orthopoxviruses such as smallpox.

Tecovirimat (ST-246) is an antiviral with activity against orthopoxviruses such as smallpox and is currently undergoing clinical trials. It was previously owned by Viropharma and discovered in collaboration with scientists at USAMRIID. It is currently owned and is synthesized by Siga Technologies, a drug development company in the biodefense arena. It works by blocking cellular transmission of the virus, thus preventing the disease. Tecovirimat has been effective in laboratory testing, with no serious side effects reported to date. Despite not yet having FDA approval for medical use, tecovirimat is stockpiled in the US Strategic National Stockpile as a defense against a smallpox outbreak.