Finding new antiviral drugs to treat orthopoxvirus infections

Discovery of antiviral inhibitors for the treatment of orthopoxvirus infections

NIH-funded research Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-10892864

This study is looking for new medicines to help fight infections like smallpox by testing a huge number of different compounds to find ones that can work as antiviral treatments for people who might be at risk.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVenatorx Pharmaceuticals, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Malvern, United States)
Project IDNIH-10892864 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to discover new antiviral inhibitors specifically targeting orthopoxvirus infections, including smallpox. The approach involves screening a large library of over 200,000 compounds to identify those with potential antiviral properties. Selected compounds will undergo further testing to evaluate their effectiveness and safety. The ultimate goal is to develop new treatment options for patients who may be at risk of orthopoxvirus infections due to the lack of current therapeutic options.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults over 21 years old who may be at risk for orthopoxvirus infections, particularly in regions with potential exposure.

Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk for orthopoxvirus infections or those who are already receiving effective antiviral treatments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective antiviral treatments for orthopoxvirus infections, enhancing public health safety.

How similar studies have performed: While there are existing antiviral treatments for smallpox, this research is exploring novel compounds and approaches, making it a potentially groundbreaking effort.

Where this research is happening

Malvern, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.