Biomedical Sciences Research Center Will Focus on Developing Much-Needed Antiviral Drugs

ATLANTA—The Center for Translational Antiviral Research has been established in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University to fill the gap for developing affordable, much-needed antiviral drugs that will reduce severe viral diseases and meet the threats imposed by existing and newly evolving viruses.

The research center will focus primarily on RNA virus pathogens of high pandemic potential, such as the coronaviruses, influenza viruses and paramyxoviruses such as Nipah virus.

Dr. Richard Plemper, Distinguished University Professor in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences, will be the director of the Center for Translational Antiviral Research.

“The global COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the critical need for next-generation, orally available broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics to both mitigate severe viral diseases and improve preparedness against newly evolving viral pathogens,” Plemper said.

The center will focus on translating basic discoveries into applicable therapeutic candidates. It will bring together an interdisciplinary group of faculty skilled in scientific collaboration to harness Georgia State’s unique strengths in RNA virus research, antiviral drug discovery and high-biocontainment infectious disease research.

In addition to meeting urgent clinical needs with advanced research, the center expands Georgia State’s standing as a leading research university, facilitates competitive extramural program and center grant proposals, attracts prospective faculty and provides training opportunities for students at all levels and postdoctoral Fellows.

The center establishes Georgia State as a center of excellence in antiviral drug development and leverages the university’s unique strengths with private industry and foundation partners through outreach programs to address community needs.

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