Improving Ridaifen-B–based medicines for Ebola
Optimizing Ridaifen-B analogs as potential therapeutics for Ebola viruses
Researchers are developing and refining small chemical drugs based on Ridaifen‑B to block Ebola virus entry and help prevent or treat people exposed to or infected by Ebola.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146495 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are designing and improving small-molecule drugs derived from Ridaifen‑B that stop Ebola virus from entering human cells. They screened a library of compounds to identify promising leads and will use structure-based chemistry to optimize those molecules. The most promising candidates will be tested in animal models to study safety and whether they prevent or treat Ebola infection. Because this work uses high-containment labs and animal studies, the grant does not include human trial enrollment at this stage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future clinical trials would likely enroll people at risk of Ebola exposure or with recent Ebola infection, such as outbreak patients, close contacts, and frontline health workers.
Not a fit: People without Ebola exposure or those seeking an available treatment now will not benefit directly from this preclinical project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could yield new medicines that prevent or reduce the severity of Ebola infection and lower deaths during outbreaks.
How similar studies have performed: Monoclonal antibody therapies and some antivirals have shown benefit for Ebola, but small-molecule entry inhibitors like these remain largely experimental.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rong, Lijun — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Rong, Lijun
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.