Development of novel small molecule antiviral therapeutics for pathogens with epidemic potential

Expected Outcome:

This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:

• The scientific and clinical communities have a better understanding of and access to experimental antivirals for the prevention and treatment of emerging or re-emerging viral infections, as well as for further clinical investigation.
• Candidate antiviral therapies are available to treat patients for emerging and re-emerging viral infections, increasing therapeutic options for clinical deployment in case of an epidemic or pandemic.

Scope:

Infectious diseases remain a major threat to health and health security in the EU and globally. Viral disease emergence is already being accelerated by climate change, and thus a proactive approach to the development of antiviral prophylactics and therapeutics in preparedness for future infectious disease outbreaks is needed. The availability of antivirals targeting conserved viral or host mechanisms would provide a critical preparedness measure against future health threats caused by (re)emerging infectious disease epidemics or pandemics, due to infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

This topic contributes to strengthening the Research and Innovation ecosystem within the EU and supports the implementation of the European Medical Countermeasures Strategy^[1].

Antibodies and antibody derived proteins are excluded from the scope of this topic.

Applicants should explicitly state in their proposal which of the following viruses/groups of viruses is targeted and the proposed work should address only this specific virus/group of viruses. The proposed work should aim to advance the development of novel or existing antiviral candidates targeting exclusively one of the following viruses/groups of viruses:

1. Junin mammarenavirus and/or Lassa mammarenavirus
2. Tick-borne encephalitis virus and/or Japanese encephalitis virus
3. Andes virus and/or Hantaan virus and/or Sin Nombre virus
4. Hendra virus
5. Enterovirus D68
6. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus

Identifying a specific virus/group of viruses does not preclude the exploration of these antiviral candidates' effects on other viruses/groups of viruses. Proposals should thus aim to diversify and accelerate the global prophylactic and therapeutic research and development portfolio for emerging and re-emerging viral infections, and to strengthen the leading role of the EU in prophylactic and therapeutic research and development.

Proposals should address some of the following research areas:

• Discovery and selection of candidate antivirals with consideration for intra-family and/or variant-transcending potential.
• Optimisation of selected candidates to improve potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and developability, using Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) studies or equivalent methodologies.
• In-vitro characterisation of antiviral activity, mechanism of action, and, where appropriate, resistance potential across multiple viruses or strains.
• In-vivo tests in at least one animal model or, if available in human organoid or organotypic models, to demonstrate the protective function of the antiviral candidates and deemed sufficient for moving to first clinical trials.
• If requested by regulators as pre-requisite for clinical studies, in-vivo tests in a non-human primate model.
• Production of batches of the most promising antiviral candidates according to the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)^[2] of the most promising therapeutics solution.
• First in human clinical safety studies demonstrating a clear regulatory pathway for market authorisation. Attention should be paid to critical biological and social factors such as sex, age, ethnicity and disability.

Participation of third countries where viruses addressed in the proposal are endemic or where outbreaks have occurred or are ongoing is encouraged.

The participation of start-ups, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)^[3] is encouraged with the aim of strengthening their scientific and technological foundations, enhancing their innovation potential, and exploring possibilities for commercial exploitation.

All projects funded under this topic are expected to engage with regulatory bodies in a timely manner to ensure adequacy of the actions from a regulatory point of view.

Proposals should advance research by leveraging already existing and emerging state-of-the-art research infrastructures^[4] such as those having contributed to the services developed under the ISIDORe project^[5].

The projects funded under this topic should synergise with projects funded by the co-funded European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness^[6].

Applicants should provide details of their clinical studies^[7] in the dedicated annex using the template provided in the submission system. As proposals under this topic are expected to include clinical studies, the use of the template is strongly encouraged.

[1] https://health.ec.europa.eu/health-emergency-preparedness-and-response-hera/preparedness/medical-countermeasures-strategy_en

[2] https://health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/eudralex/eudralex-volume-4_en

[3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32003H0361

[4] The catalogue of European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) research infrastructures portfolio can be browsed on the ESFRI website: https://ri-portfolio.esfri.eu

[5] https://isidore-project.eu

[6] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101226682, https://beready4pandemics.eu

[7] Please note that the definition of clinical studies (see introduction to this Work Programme part) is broad and it is recommended that you review it thoroughly before submitting your application.