Breaking News: AVITHRAPID Publishes Key Data to Accelerate Drug Development for Dengue
AVITHRAPID has announced a breakthrough in the fight against dengue fever by publishing critical protein models for all four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes. These open-access data represent a transformative step in identifying high-potential viral targets for drug development, offering the global scientific community an invaluable resource to combat this widespread and growing threat.
The World is in the Grip of a Record Dengue Fever Outbreak: What’s Causing It, and How Can It Be Stopped?
Dengue fever, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing viral threats globally. Once limited to tropical regions, the disease is now spreading to new geographies, including parts of Europe, due to changing climatic conditions, rapid urbanization, and increased global travel. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that half the global population is at risk of infection, with severe cases leading to hospitalization or even death.
Access here the Global Dengue Surveillance from WHO
What makes dengue particularly challenging is its unpredictability:
- The virus exists in four distinct serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4), making immunity from one serotype ineffective against others.
- Existing vaccines have limited efficacy across diverse populations.
- No antiviral treatments are currently available, leaving supportive care as the only option for severe cases.
To halt the spread of dengue, an integrated approach is essential:
- Vector control: Reducing mosquito populations through sustainable solutions, including genetic technologies and community-based interventions.
- Early detection: Strengthening surveillance and diagnostic capabilities to identify outbreaks and respond rapidly.
- Therapeutic innovation: Advancing drug development and accelerating research into effective antiviral therapies.
This is where AVITHRAPID steps in with its cutting-edge contributions.
AVITHRAPID Efforts: Advancing Drug Development with Open-Access Data
As part of its mission to revolutionize antiviral therapeutics, AVITHRAPID has developed a pipeline to model the proteins of all four dengue virus serotypes using the SWISS-MODEL platform. These models are crucial for identifying viral proteins that can serve as promising targets for new drugs, paving the way for innovative treatments.
The project team has now made these protein models publicly accessible, enabling researchers and drug developers worldwide to leverage this resource for therapeutic breakthroughs. This open-access initiative not only accelerates scientific discovery but also fosters collaboration across disciplines to combat dengue fever effectively.
By providing critical data and computational insights, AVITHRAPID is setting the stage for the development of life-saving therapies, reaffirming its role as a leader in pandemic preparedness and response.
Explore the models and join the effort to address this global challenge: Model Archive.
AVITHRAPID is funded by the European Union under grant agreement no. 101137192.