Metropolitan AntiViral Drug Accelerator: advancing SARS-CoV-2 therapies
Official title: Metropolitan AntiViral Drug Accelerator (Project 3)
Funded at Hackensack University Medical Center · NIH-11617023 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A collaborative program is testing new antiviral compounds to treat COVID-19 by targeting key viral enzymes and supporting early-stage drug development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hackensack University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hackensack, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $819,751 |
| NIH project number | 4U19AI171401-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617023 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with COVID-19 who could benefit from new antiviral therapies, particularly those with active infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with COVID-19 might not benefit if the compounds fail to show safety or efficacy in later trial stages.
What this research studies
This program brings together multiple laboratories to create and test small molecules that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 proteins essential for the virus to replicate. It uses high-throughput screening to find promising compounds, then applies medicinal chemistry to optimize them for potency and safety. The work includes structural biology, virology assays, and bioassays to understand how the drugs work, with the goal of moving strong candidates toward clinical evaluation. If successful, these efforts could provide new antiviral options for people with COVID-19.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with COVID-19 could gain access to more effective antiviral treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Prior antiviral program work has identified potent inhibitors in assay and cell-based tests, with translational steps continuing to evaluate clinical potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tuschl, Thomas — Hackensack University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Tuschl, Thomas
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.