During the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in January 2026, Enanta Pharmaceuticals detailed its strategic focus on developing oral replication inhibitors for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). As current preventive tools like vaccines and monoclonal antibodies face adoption challenges and limited long-term efficacy, Enanta aims to address the significant unmet need for direct-acting therapeutic interventions.
Core therapeutic pipeline The company’s strategy revolves around two distinct antiviral candidates designed to disrupt the viral life cycle:
-
Zelicapavir (N-protein inhibitor): Positioned as a potential first-in-class treatment, this candidate has shown the ability to shorten symptom duration by up to seven days in high-risk adult populations, including those with chronic heart or lung conditions. Following positive Phase 2b results, Enanta is aligning with the FDA to initiate Phase 3 trials in late 2026.
-
EDP-323 (L-protein inhibitor): Developed as a potential best-in-class therapy, EDP-323 demonstrated a massive reduction in viral load (85–87%) and significant symptom alleviation in Phase 2a human challenge studies. Its rapid onset of action makes it a strong candidate for both treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis.
2026 Outlook and market potential Enanta is exploring the synergy of combining these two mechanisms to broaden the patient base and enhance clinical outcomes. Analysts project that zelicapavir alone could generate $290 million in global annual sales by 2031 upon approval. For the remainder of 2026, the company plans to solidify its registration path for high-risk adults and pediatric patients while actively seeking strategic business partnerships to accelerate its RSV portfolio’s commercial readiness.