New antiviral drugs called aglai ns to fight mosquito-borne viruses
Official title: Novel Aglains as Therapeutic Agents for Mosquito-borne Arboviruses
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11421652 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A lab program is developing new host-targeted antiviral compounds called aglains to help prevent and treat infections from dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $164,160 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI189900-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421652 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with dengue or related mosquito-borne arboviral infections in settings where future trials of antivirals may be conducted.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by pathogens other than the targeted arboviruses or those unlikely to tolerate future trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This program focuses on turning aglain compounds into effective antivirals that work by targeting host processes rather than the virus itself. Researchers have identified VAT-1 as a potential host target and will explore how inhibiting it affects dengue virus infections. The work includes chemical optimization of the aglain series and using these compounds as tools to understand antiviral mechanisms. The project involves collaboration between chemists and biologists to translate lab findings into potential therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these antiviral agents could provide a new treatment option to reduce illness from dengue and related arboviruses.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown that host-targeted antivirals can modulate infection, with ongoing research in related compounds suggesting potential efficacy.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porco, John a. — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Porco, John a.
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.