Antiviral Drug Development Center for Broad Coronavirus and Other RNA Viruses
Official title: Antiviral Countermeasures Development Center (AC/DC)
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11587413 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research center at Emory is creating oral antiviral drugs to fight five families of RNA viruses that could cause future outbreaks, with the aim of giving patients new, easy-to-take treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $7,742,084 |
| NIH project number | 4U19AI171403-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11587413 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for infections from the targeted RNA viruses or those with confirmed exposure seeking future antiviral therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People infected with non-targeted pathogens or those not eligible for antiviral trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This program brings together experts to discover and advance oral antiviral compounds that work directly against RNA viruses like coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses, flaviviruses, picornaviruses, and togaviruses. Researchers will use five interrelated project units and core facilities to move drug candidates from discovery through preclinical development, including safety and pharmacology assessments. The effort builds on prior success with molnupiravir and aims to identify multiple candidate drugs that can be taken by mouth. People who are at risk of severe viral infections may ultimately benefit from faster-access antivirals if successful. The initiative involves collaborations with industry-experienced scientists to accelerate translating promising compounds toward clinical testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could gain new oral antiviral options that are effective against several high-risk RNA viruses.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work by the lead investigators includes the development of molnupiravir, demonstrating that rapid advancement from discovery to a clinical candidate is possible.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Painter, George Robert — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Painter, George Robert
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.