Apilimod’s properties come from its primary mechanism of action, which is its disruption of lysosomal function.

By inhibiting the lipid kinase PIKfyve, apilimod induces cell apoptosis and is, consequently, able to prevent the autophagy of foreign and infectious substances. In addition, PIKfyve inhibition results in the increase of endolysosomal organelles. Since PIKfyve is also a primary regulator of endosome activity, apilimod’s efficiency is further increased as endosomes are how many viruses actually deliver their genetic material into a host cell and are often the beginning of a viral infection.