Broad antiviral drugs that target coronaviruses and other viruses
Official title: Identification and characterization of small molecule inhibitors of yellow fever
Funded at Hackensack University Medical Center · NIH-11617025 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research program aims to identify small molecules that can block multiple viruses, focusing first on coronaviruses, to help create drugs that can treat future outbreaks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hackensack University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hackensack, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $544,550 |
| NIH project number | 4U19AI171401-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617025 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with viral infections caused by coronaviruses or related viruses, or individuals at high risk of exposure who could participate in future clinical testing of new antivirals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by viruses not targeted by these compounds or those with contraindications to antiviral therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports a high‑throughput, DNA‑barcoded screening approach to discover small molecules that inhibit essential viral proteins. The project will also map how viral mutations affect drug effectiveness to guide the development of broad, resistance‑robust antivirals. Over time, the team plans to extend the work to other viral families beyond coronaviruses to broaden protective options for patients. The work is designed to speed up hit‑to‑lead chemistry so promising compounds can move toward clinical testing more quickly. The ultimate goal is a versatile antiviral toolkit that remains active even as viruses evolve.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could gain access to broad‑acting antivirals that work against several viruses and are less prone to resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Past antiviral discovery efforts using high‑throughput screening have yielded promising leads, but broadly active, resistance‑robust antivirals remain challenging and this approach is relatively novel in its breadth.
Where this research is happening
-
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ploss, Alexander — Hackensack University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ploss, Alexander
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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.