Biochem/physiol Actions Gardiquimod is a potent and specific agonist for human or mouse Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7). Also, at high concentration gardiquimod activates TLR8. Similarly to imiquimod, gardiquimod could mimic the effects of viral nucleic acids on the immune system. Gardiquimod is developed as a new imidazoquinoline compound. It stimulates NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB) activation in cells expressing human or murine toll like receptor 7 (TLR7). Gardiquimod is found to be ten times more efficient than imiquimod. It induces splenocyte activation and prevents murine B16 melanoma growth and metastasis. Gardiquimod might serve as a therapeutic agent to prevent HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus - 1) transmission. It hinders the life cycle of HIV-1, by blocking the action of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.