Siga Tech's tecovirimat drug could help counter monkeypox, says study

The scientists said more work is needed to reach any conclusions but their study found little evidence that another drug, brincidofovir, was beneficial

At least one antiviral medicine shows promise against monkeypox and should be investigated further, scientists said as the outbreak widens. 

The finding is based on a single case that occurred in the UK before the current flare-up. The study, which calls for more research on a drug called tecovirimat, was published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. 

The study focused on seven cases of transmission outside of Africa, where the virus is considered endemic in a dozen countries. It suggests SIGA Technologies Inc.’s tecovirimat may be able to shorten symptoms and the amount of time people are contagious. 

The scientists