Developing drugs to fight norovirus infections in patients with weakened immune systems
Official title: Anti-norovirus protease inhibitors for immunocompromised patients
Funded at Emory University · NIH-10905985 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new antiviral medicines to help fight norovirus infections, especially for people who are more at risk like kids, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $762,258 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173229-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10905985 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include immunocompromised individuals, children under 11 years old, and elderly patients who are at higher risk for severe norovirus infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are healthy and have a robust immune system may not benefit from this research as they are less likely to experience severe norovirus infections.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new antiviral medications specifically designed to combat human norovirus infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients, children, and the elderly. The approach involves designing small-molecule inhibitors that target the norovirus protease, an enzyme crucial for the virus's replication. By inhibiting this enzyme, the researchers aim to limit or eliminate norovirus infections, which can lead to severe gastroenteritis and other complications in vulnerable populations. The study will utilize laboratory assays to test the effectiveness of these compounds against the virus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective antiviral treatments for norovirus infections, significantly improving health outcomes for vulnerable patients.
How similar studies have gone: While antiviral treatments for norovirus are currently lacking, the approach of targeting viral proteases has shown promise in other viral infections, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schinazi, Raymond Felix — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Schinazi, Raymond Felix
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.