Metropolitan Antiviral Drug Accelerator (MAVDA)
Funded at Hackensack University Medical Center · NIH-11617029 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A national effort to speed up the discovery and development of new antiviral medicines to fight diseases like COVID-19, with a focus on making lead compounds that could become effective treatments.
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) | $3,674,750 |
| NIH project number | 4U19AI171401-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617029 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with viral infections for which new antivirals are needed, including COVID-19 and related viruses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to the participating clinical sites or those with viruses not targeted by these compounds may not benefit.
What this research studies
This program brings together medicinal chemistry experts and project teams to quickly identify and optimize antiviral compounds. It uses a defined workflow with measurable milestones to move from initial hits to lead drug candidates. The work includes targeting SARS-CoV-2 enzymes and viral proteases, as well as novel peptide approaches, with both industrial and academic collaboration. The goal is to shorten development time and reduce costs while prioritizing compounds that can reach patients who need new treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have access to faster-developed antivirals for COVID-19 and other viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts in hit-to-lead optimization and antiviral discovery have progressed key candidates toward clinical development in similar programs.
Where this research is happening
-
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merritt, James Robert — Hackensack University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Merritt, James Robert
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Orally accessible antiviral leaders to fight COVID-19 and related coronaviruses
A research effort to fast-track safe, easy-to-take oral drugs that can treat COVID-19 and other coronaviruses by repurposing and optimizing existing antiviral compounds.
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Metropolitan Antiviral Drug Accelerator Virology Core
A core team across top hospitals and universities is testing antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses to identify promising drugs for COVID-19.
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Broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor for antiviral therapy
Researchers are developing a new small-molecule drug that blocks a key SARS-CoV-2 enzyme, with potential to treat COVID-19 across multiple virus variants.
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Metropolitan AntiViral Drug Accelerator: Animal Models
A large NIH-funded effort uses animal models to test new antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses to move promising leads toward early development.
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Metropolis AntiViral Drug Accelerator: Pharmacology Core
A dedicated program to speed up promising antiviral drugs by testing their behavior in the body and choosing the best candidates for further development.
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Metropolitan Antiviral Drug Accelerator
A national program at Hackensack University Medical Center to help develop and optimize small-molecule drugs that may block key SARS-CoV-2 proteins, potentially slowing COVID-19 replication.
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.