Orally available small-molecule inhibitors for MERS and related coronaviruses
Official title: Small Molecule Protease Inhibitors against MERS-CoV and Coronaviruses of Pandemic Potential
Funded at Kansas State University · NIH-11333310 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is testing new small molecules that could block a key coronavirus enzyme, aiming to create an easy-to-take medicine for people at risk of MERS or related viruses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kansas State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manhattan, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $731,548 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI130092-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333310 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at high risk for MERS or exposure to related coronaviruses who could participate in future clinical development or related research (e.g., biomarker studies) when applicable.
✕Less likely to help
People not at risk for MERS or without a pathway to future antiviral development may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project focuses on developing orally bioavailable compounds that inhibit the 3C-like protease (3CLpro) essential for coronavirus replication. Building on prior inhibitor work, the team will optimize a novel scaffold to achieve better oral absorption and in vivo performance. The work will combine biochemical assays, biological assays, and bioavailability studies to identify promising oral drug candidates. If successful, these compounds could advance toward preclinical testing for MERS-CoV and related viruses that threaten public health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could gain an effective oral antiviral option against MERS and potentially related coronaviruses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous inhibitor series showed potent antiviral activity but limited oral bioavailability; this project aims to overcome that with a new scaffold.
Where this research is happening
-
Kansas State University
Manhattan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Kyeong-Ok — Kansas State University
- Study coordinator: Chang, Kyeong-Ok
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.