Arno Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) Material Transfer Agreement with the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) to evaluate the anti-viral activity of AR-12 and various analogues against Ebola and other viruses of biodefense interest. AR-12 is an orally-available small molecule. Data reported previously demonstrate that the AR-12 mechanism of action may include induction of host cell autophagy and inhibition of fungal acetyl coenzyme A synthetase.

The precise antiviral mechanism of action of AR-12 continues to be evaluated but an established body of evidence demonstrates that AR-12 is an inducer of host effector cell autophagy. AR-12 is known to inhibit, or down regulate, GRP78 (also known as BiP, HSPA5) the master regulator of the unfolded protein response. The down regulation of GRP78 results in the up-regulation of PERK which induces the formation of autophagosomes and, subsequently, host cell autophagy.

AR-12 also down regulates the chaperone proteins HSP70 and HSP90. Previously, AR-12 has completed Phase 1 clinical trials in patients with cancer. Additional pre-clinical research indicates that AR-12 may have potential as an antimicrobial agent in various infectious diseases.

AR-12 has been granted two orphan drug designations in Europe for the treatment of cryptococcosis and tularaemia. In addition, Arno also has the rights to a broad portfolio of compounds in the "AR-12 series" which have been demonstrated to have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.