Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern
As part of the APP effort in 2022, NIAID awarded approximately $577 million to establish nine Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern. These research centers will target SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses with pandemic potential, such as paramyxoviruses, bunyavirales, togaviruses, filoviruses, picornaviruses, and flaviviruses. The goal of the multidisciplinary research centers is to use structural and systems methods to identify potential drug targets shared across key viral pathogens and to generate a diverse pool of novel antiviral lead series and drug candidates with potential to address SARS-CoV-2 as well as to quickly pivot to address future viral outbreaks or pandemics. Oral drug candidates for broad use in outpatient settings are the primary focus of this effort.
Other Antiviral Discovery Efforts
NIAID scientists and NIAID-funded scientists will conduct antiviral drug discovery projects targeting coronaviruses and other viruses of pandemic potential. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) scientists will collaborate with researchers in academia, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and other government labs to discover and develop antiviral candidates.