Antivirals that activate inside the body against Zika and dengue
Official title: Anchimerically Activatable Anti-Zika/Dengue ProTides
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11133060 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Developing antiviral medicines that activate inside human cells to stop Zika and dengue infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $568,956 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI146049-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11133060 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People infected with or at high risk for Zika or dengue would be the likely candidates for future clinical trials conducted at the University of Minnesota and partner sites.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unrelated conditions or those seeking immediate treatment should not expect direct benefit from this preclinical research at this time.
What this research studies
Researchers are designing a new class of antiviral drugs (called ProTides) that stay inactive until enzymes inside human cells turn them on. The team will modify chemical groups to improve how well the drugs reach infected tissues, how they are activated, and how they stop the viruses. Work will include laboratory tests in cells and animal models to measure antiviral activity, stability, and distribution in the body. If those tests are successful, the work could move toward safety testing and future human trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to effective antiviral treatments for Zika and dengue, reducing severe illness and preventing complications such as congenital birth defects.
How similar studies have gone: Related ProTide drugs such as sofosbuvir and remdesivir have succeeded against hepatitis C and SARS-CoV-2, supporting the approach though applying it to Zika and dengue remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wagner, Carston R. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Wagner, Carston R.
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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.