Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 29, 2025
09:29
Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
30.5K
Safe-in-Man Broad Spectrum Antiviral Agents
Rouan Yao1, Aleksandr Ianevski1, Denis Kainov2,3,4
1Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|July 14, 2021
Summary
Broad spectrum antiviral agents (BSAAs) offer a faster, more cost-effective approach to combating viral threats. Repurposing existing drugs as BSAAs is key to pandemic preparedness.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
- Drug Development
Background:
- Emerging viral diseases necessitate improved preparedness strategies.
- The traditional 'one drug, one virus' model is insufficient for epidemic response.
- Limited financial incentives hinder novel antiviral drug discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the advantages of repurposing drugs as broad spectrum antiviral agents (BSAAs).
- To outline the development process for safe-in-man BSAAs.
- To identify useful database resources for antiviral drug repositioning.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on antiviral drug development.
- Analysis of the benefits of drug repurposing for BSAA development.
- Identification and categorization of relevant database resources.
Main Results:
- Safe-in-man BSAAs, developed from existing drugs, expedite response to viral outbreaks.
- Repurposing reduces development time and cost compared to novel drug discovery.
- Databases can significantly aid in identifying potential BSAAs.
Conclusions:
- Repurposing drugs as BSAAs is a viable strategy for enhancing pandemic preparedness.
- BSAAs offer a flexible and rapid response mechanism against diverse viral threats.
- Leveraging drug repurposing databases accelerates the identification and development of effective BSAAs.
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