New antiviral approach to combat emerging coronaviruses
Official title: Novel antiviral strategy offering forward capability and reduced risk of escape
Funded at Texas Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-10820413 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to fight coronaviruses by targeting their inner proteins, which don’t change as much as the outer ones, to create a treatment that could work against different strains, helping patients stay healthier for longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | April 4, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $247,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI168934-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10820413 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of or currently infected with emerging coronaviruses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with established immunity to coronaviruses or those who have already been treated with existing antiviral therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel antiviral strategy that targets internal structural proteins of coronaviruses, which are less prone to mutations compared to surface proteins. By using affinity reagents that can bind to these conserved proteins, the goal is to create a treatment that can effectively combat various strains of coronaviruses, including those that may emerge in the future. The approach aims to reduce the risk of viral escape from antibody therapies, potentially leading to more effective and long-lasting treatments for patients. The research will involve laboratory experiments to test the efficacy of these new antiviral agents against different coronavirus variants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective antiviral treatments for patients infected with coronaviruses, reducing the severity and duration of illness.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting internal viral proteins for antiviral development, suggesting that this approach could be a viable strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hayhurst, Andrew — Texas Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Hayhurst, Andrew
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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.