Norovirus enzyme-blocking medicine for people with weakened immune systems
Anti-norovirus protease inhibitors for immunocompromised patients
A small drug that blocks a norovirus enzyme to treat infections in people with weakened immune systems and vulnerable children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159727 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I or a loved one had a long-lasting norovirus infection, this team is designing small drugs that stop a key viral enzyme so the virus can’t copy itself. They have lab compounds that already stopped norovirus in cell tests at very low doses and will improve the chemistry to make the drug safe and absorbable. The researchers will run lab and preclinical tests (including how the drug behaves in the body) and check safety before moving toward human testing. The work aims to turn a promising lab molecule into a medicine that could be tried in patients in future trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with weakened immune systems (for example transplant recipients, people on chemotherapy, or those with immune disorders) and possibly young children with severe or prolonged norovirus.
Not a fit: People with short, typical norovirus illness who recover within a week or those without immune compromise are unlikely to need or benefit from this treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could become the first targeted antiviral to shorten or eliminate chronic norovirus infections in immunocompromised patients.
How similar studies have performed: Protease-blocking drugs have been very successful for other viruses like hepatitis C and HIV, but norovirus-specific protease inhibitors are still at an early, mostly preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schinazi, Raymond Felix — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Schinazi, Raymond Felix
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.