Host targeted anti virals might have greater potential as pandemic preparedness tools. Human biology offers many more potentially drugable targets than do viruses. A combination of host targeted and direct acting drugs might offer the best insurance against future viral threats. But experts agree that any drug intended for pandemic preparedness must, at a minimum, be fully tested in animal models and go through some trials in healthy human volunteers.
Despite warnings, and a number of close calls, drugmakers failed to develop and stockpile drugs to fight a viral pandemic. Now, in the wake of SARS-CoV-2, they are pledging not to make the same mistake again.
Around the world, researchers are racing to develop drugs to target COVID-19, but also broad-spectrum antivirals that could be used to treat future viral threats.
This is an audio version of our feature: The race for antiviral drugs to beat COVID — and the next pandemic
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