Last reviewed 2026-05-24 · How we verify

Direct Acting Antivirals

Direct Acting Antivirals is a Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) Small molecule drug developed by Medical University of Warsaw. It is currently FDA-approved for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, Potentially other viral infections depending on specific agent. Also known as: DAAs in Non Cirrhotics, Sofosbuvir, Daclatasvir, Ledipasvir.

Direct-acting antivirals inhibit viral enzymes or proteins required for viral replication, preventing the virus from multiplying within host cells.

Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) are small molecule medications used to treat conditions such as Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Hepatitis C, as well as other conditions like End Stage Renal Disease and Safety Issues. DAAs, including Zepatier, Mavyret, and Sofosbuvir, have been studied in clinical trials for various indications, including the risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in HCV cirrhotic patients.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

DAAs work by directly targeting and blocking specific viral proteins such as proteases, polymerases, or other essential enzymes needed for the viral life cycle. This class is most well-established for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, where combinations of DAAs targeting different viral proteins have achieved cure rates exceeding 95%. The mechanism differs from older interferon-based therapies by directly interfering with viral replication machinery rather than boosting immune response.

Approved indications

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
• Potentially other viral infections depending on specific agent

Common side effects

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Key clinical trials

• People With CHC Who Achieved a Sustained Virological Response Following Therapy With Direct Acting Antiviral Agents (PHASE4)
• First-in-Human Study of VNT-101: Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics (PHASE1)
• HIV Outpatient Monitoring Evaluation Through Self-collection of Dried Blood Spots
• OPtimisation of Antiviral Therapy in Immunocompromised COVID-19 Patients: a Randomized Factorial Controlled Strategy Trial (PHASE2)
• OPtimisation of Antiviral Therapy in Immunocompromised COVID-19 Patients (PHASE2)
• Prophylaxis With Direct-acting Antivirals for Kidney Transplantation From HCV-Infected Donors to Uninfected Recipients (NA)
• Transplant of Redeemed Organs by Judicious Administration of New Direct-Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis-C Heart Recipients (PHASE2)
• Predictors of HCC in Post-HCV Cirrhotic Patients After SVR

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Direct Acting Antivirals CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Direct Acting Antivirals updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• Medical University of Warsaw portfolio CI

Frequently asked questions about Direct Acting Antivirals

Related

• Drug class: All Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs
• Manufacturer: Medical University of Warsaw — full pipeline
• Therapeutic area: All drugs in Virology/Infectious Disease
• Indication: Drugs for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
• Indication: Drugs for Potentially other viral infections depending on specific agent
• Also known as: DAAs in Non Cirrhotics, Sofosbuvir, Daclatasvir, Ledipasvir, Direct Acting Antiviral HCV Treatment

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing