Broad-acting inhaled antivirals for parainfluenza, Nipah, and Hendra viruses
Broad spectrum inhibitors of paramyxovirus envelope proteins
Developing inhaled antiviral peptides to block viruses that cause croup, bronchiolitis, and severe Nipah and Hendra infections, with a focus on protecting children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139498 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are making short antiviral peptides that stop paramyxoviruses from fusing with and entering airway cells. They will modify the peptide backbone with nonstandard amino acids and add lipid pieces to make the drugs last longer and work better in the lung. The team will test these compounds in lab-grown cells, human tissue samples, and animal models and will formulate them for inhaled delivery. Promising candidates will be checked against circulating parainfluenza strains and clinical Nipah virus isolates to confirm real-world activity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for eventual clinical testing would include children with parainfluenza-caused croup or bronchiolitis and individuals with known exposure or risk for Nipah or Hendra virus infection.
Not a fit: People with respiratory illness caused by unrelated pathogens (for example influenza, RSV, common cold coronaviruses, or bacterial infections) or by noninfectious conditions would likely not benefit from these antivirals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce an inhaled treatment that rapidly stops paramyxovirus infections and reduces severe respiratory illness in children and people exposed to Nipah or Hendra viruses.
How similar studies have performed: Related fusion‑inhibiting peptides have shown promise in laboratory and animal studies, but developing modified, inhaled broad-spectrum lipopeptides for parainfluenza and Nipah/Hendra is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moscona, Anne — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Moscona, Anne
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 below.