Investigating a new antiviral treatment for enterovirus D68 in children

Drug target validation of the enterovirus D68 2A protease

NIH-funded research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10895546

This study is looking for new ways to help kids who get sick from a virus called enterovirus D68, which can cause serious breathing problems and other health issues, by finding parts of the virus that we can target with medicines, including a possible use of an existing drug to help treat them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10895546 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), a virus that can cause severe respiratory illness and neurological complications in children. The study aims to identify new viral proteins that can serve as targets for antiviral drugs and to develop chemical probes to validate these targets. Researchers are particularly interested in the 2A protease of EV-D68, which has shown potential for inhibition by an existing FDA-approved drug, telaprevir. By exploring this approach, the research seeks to provide a safe and effective treatment option for children affected by EV-D68.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are at risk of or affected by enterovirus D68 infections.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or those not infected with enterovirus D68 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 children suffering from EV-D68 infections.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in repurposing existing antiviral drugs for similar viral infections, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Newark, 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 2026-06-13 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.