New York, Oct 10 (IANS): A compound that blocks the Ebola virus's ability to replicate has been found to provide full protection to monkeys when treated three days after the deadly infection, researchers have reported.

The findings suggest that the compound, known as GS-5734, should be further developed as a potential treatment for Ebola.

In animal studies, treatment initiated on day three post-infection with Ebola virus resulted in 100 percent survival of the monkeys, the study noted.

They also exhibited a substantial reduction in viral load and a marked decrease in the physical signs of disease, including internal bleeding and tissue damage.

"The compound, which is a novel nucleotide analog prodrug, works by blocking the viral RNA replication process," explained Travis Warren, principal investigator at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID).

"If the virus cannot make copies of itself, the body's immune system has time to take over and fight off the infection," Warren noted.

In cell culture studies, GS-5734 was active against a broad spectrum of viral pathogens.

These included Lassa virus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus, Marburg virus, and multiple variants of Ebola virus, including the Makona strain causing the most recent outbreak in West Africa.

"This is the first example of a small molecule--which can be easily prepared and made on a large scale--that shows substantive post-exposure protection against Ebola virus in nonhuman primates," USAMRIID science director Sina Bavari said.

"In addition to 100 percent survival in treated animals, the profound suppression of viral replication greatly reduced the severe clinical signs of disease," Bavari noted.

Taken together, the robust therapeutic efficacy observed in primates and the potential for broad-spectrum antiviral activity suggest that further development of GS-5734 for the treatment of Ebola virus and other viral infections is warranted, Bavari said.

Gilead Sciences, a California-based company is currently conducting phase one clinical studies of the compound in healthy human volunteers to establish the safety and effectiveness of the compound.

The research was presented at IDWeek conference in San Diego, California.