New oral antiviral medicines targeting enteroviruses
Development of 2C inhibitors as broad-spectrum enterovirus antivirals
['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11257284
This project aims to create new oral medicines that block a viral protein common to many enteroviruses to help children and others who get illnesses like hand‑foot‑and‑mouth disease, respiratory infections, meningitis, and myocarditis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11257284 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will design and improve small‑molecule drugs that target the enterovirus 2C protein and make them more potent and easier for the body to absorb. They will determine high‑resolution 3D structures of the 2C protein from key viruses (EV‑A71, EV‑D68, CV‑B3) to see how drugs bind. Compounds will be tested in laboratory assays and animal models to find orally available, broad‑spectrum candidates. This work is preclinical and aims to prepare drug candidates for future human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future trial candidates would include people—particularly young children—infected with non‑polio enteroviruses such as EV‑D68, EV‑A71, or coxsackievirus B3, or those at high risk of severe disease.
Not a fit: People whose illnesses are caused by other pathogens (non‑enterovirus viruses or bacteria) would not be expected to benefit from these drugs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could produce the first broadly effective oral antiviral treatment for many non‑polio enteroviruses, potentially reducing severe illness and hospitalizations, especially in children.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and animal studies of 2C inhibitors and other enterovirus antivirals have shown promising antiviral activity, but no approved drugs exist yet and effectiveness in people remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES — Newark, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WANG, JUN — RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: WANG, JUN
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 below.
Conditions: Airway infections