BARDA launches $100M competition to spur antivirals innovation

The USA’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), in collaboration with VITAL, has opened solicitations for the SMART Antiviral Prize, a $100 million initiative supporting development of broad-spectrum, small-molecule antiviral therapies targeting viruses in the Togaviridae and Flaviviridae families.

“Currently, no FDA-approved broad-spectrum antivirals exist for any viruses within these families, which include dengue, Zika, West Nile, and Chikungunya,” said ASPR principal deputy assistant secretary John Knox, adding: “Building a stronger antiviral pipeline that addresses these gaps is essential to improving preparedness, protecting national health security, and enabling rapid treatment during outbreaks​.”