Developing a new method to find antiviral drugs by targeting RNA
Official title: Targeted RNA degradation assay for new antiviral drug discovery
Funded at Lucerna, INC. · NIH-11006184 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new antiviral medicines that can safely target and break down the RNA of viruses, helping to create treatments that work better and are less likely to become ineffective over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lucerna, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $300,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AI186768-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006184 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by viral infections, particularly those caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus or other related viruses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-viral diseases or those not affected by the targeted viral infections may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on discovering new antiviral drugs by targeting specific RNA elements in viruses, which are crucial for their life cycle. The approach involves a novel method called targeted RNA degradation (TRD) that aims to identify small molecules that can effectively disrupt viral RNA without affecting normal cellular processes. By improving high-throughput screening techniques, the research seeks to minimize false positives and enhance the efficiency of drug discovery. Patients may benefit from new antiviral therapies that are less likely to encounter drug resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective antiviral drugs for various viral diseases, including COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: While targeted RNA degradation is an emerging strategy, similar approaches in antiviral drug discovery have shown promise, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Lucerna, INC.
Brooklyn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'hanlon, Ryan — Lucerna, INC.
- Study coordinator: O'hanlon, Ryan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Developing a new method to target RNA for treating certain neurological diseases
This study is working on a new way to find drugs that can specifically target harmful RNA molecules linked to diseases like C9ALS and FTD, which could lead to better treatments for patients.
-
Developing a sensor to help discover drugs for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
This study is working on a new way to find potential drugs for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by looking for specific RNA structures in the brain, which could help develop treatments that slow down or stop the diseases.
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.