vni (molecule) vni (molecule) vni is an experimental drug for treating chagas disease currently being studied at vanderbilt university. the molecule acts by inhibiting trypanosoma cruzi sterol 14α-desmethylase activity in vitro. it exhibits no toxicity in mouse cells and unlike the related compounds posaconazole and fluconazole, increasing the dose is not required to maintain anti-parasitic activity. vni names preferred iupac name n--4-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzamide identifiers cas number 1246770-52-4 y 3d model (jsmol) interactive image chembl chembl1236677 chemspider 25060282 pubchem cid 49867823 unii l8q2zc3ule y inchi inchi=1s/c26h19cl2n5o2/c27-20-10-11-21(22(28)14-20)23(15-33-13-12-29-16-33)30-24(34)17-6-8-19(9-7-17)26-32-31-25(35-26)18-4-2-1-3-5-18/h1-14,16,23h,15h2,(h,30,34)/t23-/m0/s1key: cjplmxowzzcyhj-qhcpkhfhsa-ninchi=1/c26h19cl2n5o2/c27-20-10-11-21(22(28)14-20)23(15-33-13-12-29-16-33)30-24(34)17-6-8-19(9-7-17)26-32-31-25(35-26)18-4-2-1-3-5-18/h1-14,16,23h,15h2,(h,30,34)/t23-/m0/s1key: cjplmxowzzcyhj-qhcpkhfhbz smiles c1ccc(cc1)c2nnc(o2)c3ccc(cc3)c(=o)n(cn4ccnc4)c5ccc(cc5cl)cl properties chemical formula c26h19cl2n5o2 molar mass 504.37 g·mol−1 except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °c , 100 kpa). infobox references according to the researchers, "vni cures the acute and chronic forms of chagas disease in mice, with 100% survival and no observable side effects. low cost (<$0.10/mg ), oral bioavailability, favorable pharmacokinetics, and low toxicity make this compound an exceptional candidate for clinical trials. the efficacy of vni provides additional compelling support for efficacious antiparasitic treatment of chronic chagas disease, further validating cyp51 as a viable drug targeting t. cruzi, and it opens a new opportunity for therapeutic cure of patients. although widespread searches for other new drugs that target t. cruzi are surely being pursued, there are millions of patients with this debilitating illness who need immediate therapy, and vni or a derivative might fulfill this need."