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Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
Accelerating Drug Development: Antiviral Therapies for Emerging Viruses as a Model
Maaike Everts1, Tomas Cihlar2, J Robert Bostwick3
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35233; email: maaike@uab.edu , rwhitley@peds.uab.edu.
Abstract:
Drug discovery and development is a lengthy and expensive process. Although no one, simple, single solution can significantly accelerate this process, steps can be taken to avoid unnecessary delays. Using the development of antiviral therapies as a model, we describe options for acceleration that cover target selection, assay development and high-throughput screening, hit confirmation, lead identification and development, animal model evaluations, toxicity studies, regulatory issues, and the general drug discovery and development infrastructure. Together, these steps could result in accelerated timelines for bringing antiviral therapies to market so they can treat emerging infections and reduce human suffering.
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