Antivirals for hemorrhagic fever viruses like LASV, SFTSV, and EBOV
Official title: Development and validation of antivirals against hemorrhagic fever viruses of pandemic concern
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11542060 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-institutional effort to find and validate antiviral compounds that block key viral proteins from LASV, SFTSV, and EBOV to help people at risk from serious hemorrhagic fevers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,162,474 |
| NIH project number | 4U19AI171443-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11542060 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals at risk for or living in areas with hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, or patients who could participate in preclinical or future clinical testing of antiviral candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without access to future clinical trials or those for whom a candidate drug is not suitable may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to discover antivirals that stop essential viral RNA synthesis and capsid formation in LASV, SFTSV, and EBOV using cell-based and biochemical tests that are set up for high-throughput screening. Researchers will identify compounds that inhibit the viral nucleoprotein complex, RdRp activity, and other viral functions required for replication and transcription, then rigorously validate and optimize promising leads. The work progresses through a shared pipeline from initial hits to lead candidates, with emphasis on confirming target specificity and improving drug-like properties. The goal is to advance candidate antivirals toward preclinical development that could benefit patients facing outbreaks of these dangerous viruses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could yield new antiviral candidates that may shorten illness or prevent severe disease from LASV, SFTSV, and EBOV.
How similar studies have gone: Prior antiviral discovery efforts in similar viral targets have yielded leads, but this program aims to advance several into the lead stage with a coordinated development pipeline.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De la Torre, Juan C. — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: De la Torre, Juan C.
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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.