Strategic Preparedness of Broad-Spectrum Antivirals for Rapid Response Towards Next Pandemics

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for broad-spectrum antivirals (BSAs) capable of countering diverse and rapidly emerging viral threats. Unlike virus-specific drugs, BSAs offer cross-family protection and can serve as adaptable therapeutic platforms for pandemic preparedness. Advances in nanotechnology have further strengthened this approach by improving the solubility, stability, and targeted delivery of antiviral agents. Several repurposed drugs, such as niclosamide, favipiravir, remdesivir, nitazoxanide, and zinc-ionophores, have demonstrated potential broad-spectrum activity when formulated at the nanoscale. These nanoengineered platforms enhance pharmacokinetic performance, tissue penetration, and bioavailability, thereby enabling lower effective doses and reduced systemic toxicity. Such nanotechnological strategies not only improve antiviral efficacy across multiple viral families, including Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, and Poxviridae, but also support scalable, cost-effective production suitable for global deployment. By integrating drug repurposing with nanoengineering, BSAs can form the cornerstone of future pandemic preparedness, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and rapid clinical response to emerging infectious diseases.