They design antiviral with potential against all viruses

A team of New York City University Postgraduate Center has developed antiviral compounds that could become the first broad spectrum antiviral From the planet, according to the magazine Science Advances. The investigation focuses on the glycans of the viral wrappingsugary surface molecules that, until now, remained “Like an unspecified target”For drug design.

The scientists evaluated 57 synthetic carbohydrate receptors And they found four compounds capable of preventing infection with Seven viruses belonging to five families different. Among the neutralized pathogens are some of the most lethal known: Ebola, Marburg, NIFOH, Hendra, SARS-COV-1 and SARS-COV-2. In an essay, mice treated with these receptors reached a 90% survival facing SARS-COV-2in front of none in the control group.

These agents act by joining the Viral wrapping glycansa mechanism described as “novel” that attacks a characteristic common to many viruses and, therefore, offers a wide route of action. In addition, the authors point out that this strategy could have applications beyond infections, including the cancer and certain immune diseases. The next stage will be to boost the most promising compounds towards clinical trials.

Adam Braunschweigprincipal researcher, stressed the urgency of having tools like this: “This is the type of antiviral tool that eThe world urgently needs. If tomorrow a new virus arises, we currently have nothing to implement. These compounds offer the potential to be that first line of defense“

The work puts on the table a clear limitation of current antiviral medicine: unlike bacterial infections, which doctors usually begin to deal immediately with broad spectrum antibiotics while working to determine specific bacteria, Antivirals They have a Specific objective and are effective only against a small set of related viruses. Braunschweig added: “This lack of treatments can leave the vulnerable populations For years, while vaccines and therapies are developed. “

The study received support from various US agencies and institutions, including the Army Research Officethe National Health Instituteshe BIODEFENSE MARKETING FUND OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKthe Scientific Research Office of the Air Force and the COVID-19 high performance computing consortium.