The Antiviral Program for Pandemics (APP) aims to develop safe and effective antivirals to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as to build sustainable platforms for targeted drug discovery and development of a robust pipeline of antivirals against viruses with pandemic potential.
Widespread availability of highly effective oral antivirals that can be taken at home early in the course of infection, would prevent transmission of the virus and overwhelming surges in hospitalizations, ultimately saving lives.
In 2020, NIAID and partnering NIH Institutes and Centers initiated an intensive research program to prioritize and accelerate development of COVID-19 therapeutics. These ongoing efforts will be enhanced through the APP’s discovery and development initiatives.
APP projects will be led and overseen by NIAID, NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH’s Office of Research Infrastructure Programs and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, part of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
Classes of Antivirals Considered for Support
APP will focus on antivirals that directly act against viral targets, specifically for RNA viruses of pandemic potential (Coronaviridae, including SARS-CoV-2, Paramyxoviridae, Bunyavirales, Picornaviridae, Filoviridae, Togaviridae, and Flaviviridae). Antivirals of interest are NEW chemical entities which include small molecules and biotherapeutics that directly block viral targets. Of particular interest is discovery and development of drug candidates with suitable safety profiles for broad use in the outpatient setting (e.g., oral, intranasal) to reduce viral burden in early stages of infection.
NIAID Now Blog
Information for Researchers
Are You Currently Researching Antiviral Candidates?
Submit antiviral candidates in the discovery phase through early clinical trials that target SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses of pandemic potential using the Antiviral Candidate Submission Form. The goal is to support candidates by de-risking early stage development and guiding candidates along the development path.
NIAID’s Broad Agency Announcement Antiviral Program for Pandemics is Open for Proposals
See the 2023 NIAID Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement Research Area 003. The deadline for proposals is March 13, 2023. Additionally, the BAA includes recurring topic areas (e.g., vaccines, diagnostics, non-APP therapeutics, etc.) for possible support.
Related Programs & Networks
- Pandemic REsponse REpository through Microbial and Immunological Surveillance and Epidemiology (PREMISE) to support COVID-19 response and pandemic preparedness
- Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern to conduct innovative, multidisciplinary research to develop candidate COVID-19 antivirals, especially those that can be taken in an outpatient setting, as well as antivirals targeting specific viral families with high potential to cause a pandemic in the future.