Executive summary: Developing broad-spectrum antiviral prophylactics that target fundamental viral properties could enable rapid “day zero” responses to future pandemics, but faces scientific and regulatory challenges.
Key points:
Current antivirals like remdesivir have limited effectiveness and slow deployment timelines.
Next-generation antivirals should mimic the innate immune system by targeting fundamental viral properties, acting prophylactically, and being widely available.
Promising approaches include mucus-like barriers, double-stranded RNA targeting, and DNA-encoded antiviral proteins.
Key challenges include demonstrating clinical efficacy, enabling easy administration, and finding regulatory/commercial pathways.
Strategies to overcome hurdles include developing “drug-free” products, repurposing existing drugs, and targeting niche markets like immunocompromised patients.
The author’s nonprofit, Panoplia Laboratories, is working on DNA-encoded antivirals aiming for months-long protection against multiple viruses.
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Executive summary: Developing broad-spectrum antiviral prophylactics that target fundamental viral properties could enable rapid “day zero” responses to future pandemics, but faces scientific and regulatory challenges.
Key points:
Current antivirals like remdesivir have limited effectiveness and slow deployment timelines.
Next-generation antivirals should mimic the innate immune system by targeting fundamental viral properties, acting prophylactically, and being widely available.
Promising approaches include mucus-like barriers, double-stranded RNA targeting, and DNA-encoded antiviral proteins.
Key challenges include demonstrating clinical efficacy, enabling easy administration, and finding regulatory/commercial pathways.
Strategies to overcome hurdles include developing “drug-free” products, repurposing existing drugs, and targeting niche markets like immunocompromised patients.
The author’s nonprofit, Panoplia Laboratories, is working on DNA-encoded antivirals aiming for months-long protection against multiple viruses.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, and contact us if you have feedback.