Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) contract to develop drugs to treat infections caused by emerging and man-made viral threats

DTRA has awarded Emory University a $9.7M contract to develop drugs to treat infections caused by emerging and man-made viral threats. Under the contract, the DTRA funds will be used to advance the development of the lead candidate. “The aim of this proposal is to develop small molecule drugs for the treatment of the systemic and encephalitic forms of disease resulting from infection with Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV), Western Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEEV) and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEEV),” says George Painter, PhD, Director of the Emory Institute of Drug Development (EIDD). “This contract will allow us address a major health threat posed by these potentially deadly emerging viruses and at the same time expand our nucleotide/nucleoside analog base of potential drugs for commercially important unmet needs.” “This contract demonstrates our abilities to discover and develop drugs for urgent public health needs. Our goal is to help make the world healthier and less dangerous,” says Dennis Liotta, PhD, Executive...Read More >