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Consortium

AVITHRAPID

The AVITHRAPID consortium brings together leading experts from across Europe to build the critical mass needed to develop novel broad-spectrum antiviral compounds.
Its interdisciplinary makeup powers a fully operational preclinical drug-discovery platform – from target identification and validation through to in vivo studies in animal models.
Partners with clinical-trial expertise add the capability to move promising candidates rapidly toward new antiviral therapies.
Together, we are building a lasting foundation for cooperation, so Europe can respond quickly to future pandemic outbreaks.

Project Description

Viruses don’t wait. Diseases such as COVID-19, Zika and dengue can spread faster than we can develop treatments, because most antivirals are built for one virus at a time. AVITHRAPID takes a different route: we develop broad-spectrum antivirals – small molecules designed to disable mechanisms that many viruses share – and we keep them ready to advance into therapies the moment a new threat appears.

What we do

AVITHRAPID is assembling a complete preclinical drug-discovery pipeline – from computer-based molecular design to laboratory testing and a first clinical trial. We start from a curated set of small molecules already shown to act on viral targets, optimise them through medicinal chemistry, and validate them against multiple viruses, including priority pathogens with epidemic potential.

The science, in detail

AVITHRAPID develops novel broad-spectrum antivirals through a rational preclinical drug-discovery workflow, building on substances with proven activity against validated targets. The consortium integrates molecular modelling, biochemical and cell-based assays, X-ray crystallography, medicinal chemistry, biophysical binding studies, ADME-Tox profiling and in vitro / in vivo pharmacokinetics, complemented by animal disease models. As proof of concept, a small molecule against Zika virus will advance to a Phase 2a clinical trial.

Our objectives

Strengthen preparedness

deliver new antiviral-development approaches that pair advanced computation with experimental validation.

Optimise candidates

jointly develop preclinical candidates from a shared library of small molecules addressing multiple viral targets, with a focus on broad-spectrum activity.

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Build a reusable pipeline

establish a complete preclinical drug-discovery pipeline that can respond rapidly to novel viruses with pandemic potential.

Our objectives

AVITHRAPID delivers four outcomes. First, new broad-spectrum antiviral candidates: a shared library of small molecules optimised against targets many virus families depend on, validated in vitro and in vivo. Second, a clinic-ready lead against Zika, advancing to a Phase 2a trial — including a peptide-conjugated porphyrin able to cross the blood-brain and blood-placental barriers, a novel route to treating Zika and potentially other viruses. Third, a reusable rapid-response pipeline that can be re-pointed at the next emerging pathogen in weeks, not years. Fourth, open, reusable FAIR datasets, models and assays the wider research community can build on.

Beyond the lab

AVITHRAPID is built to outlast its funding. Discover how our results are becoming a lasting European antiviral ecosystem — explore our exploitation strategy.

Avithrapid in numbers

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All official data and results are available on Europe official website >

Eight work packages, one pipeline.

Work Packages

AVITHRAPID is organised as an integrated preclinical drug-discovery value chain: computational design and medicinal chemistry feed into preclinical safety and efficacy testing, a first clinical trial, and the formulation, data and exploitation work that turns results into impact. Our portfolio already spans validated hits to preclinical candidates with proven in vivo efficacy – including a small molecule against Zika ready to enter the clinic.

Preclinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry

Lead Participant: Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II  - Italy

In brief

we design and refine the molecules - and test them against many viruses.

Objective

optimise lead chemical series against selected viral and host targets to deliver broad-spectrum candidates for in vivo testing in WP2.

Focus

SARS-CoV-2 helicase, PLpro and Nsp3 macrodomain; host factor DDX3X; broad-spectrum peptide-porphyrin conjugates; screening of top compounds against WHO-priority risk-group-4 viruses (Ebola, Nipah, Hendra, Lassa).

Preclinical Development

Lead Participant: Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement – France

In brief

we check that candidates are safe and that they work in living models.

Objective

define the safety, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of selected compounds in established animal models of SARS-CoV-2 and Zika.

Focus

regulatory and ethical authorisations, in vivo toxicity and PK/PD, proof-of-concept efficacy, and a shared biobank of healthy and infected samples for all partners.

Clinical Development

Lead Participant: Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement – France

In brief

we run the project's first clinical trial in patients.

Objective

generate safety and efficacy data for an antiviral treatment of Zika virus infection through the AVITHRAPID-TRIAL, designed around current epidemiological data from endemic regions.

Focus

trial governance and feasibility, ethics, protocol, EU CTIS submission, conduct, data analysis and publication.

In silico resources and ML applications

Lead Participant: Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani-Istituto di ricovero e cura a carattere scientifico – Italy

In brief

we use AI and supercomputing to find and rank the best candidates first.

Objective

identify new viral targets and prioritise the most promising compounds for experimental validation, using AI and large-scale molecular simulation.

Focus

NGS analysis of viral genomes, homology modelling, AI-based compound scoring, ensemble docking from molecular-dynamics simulations, and HPC-deployed pipelines.

Formulation and Delivery

Lead Participant: Dompé farmaceutici SpA – Italy

In brief

we make the drugs deliverable - getting them where they need to act.

Objective

develop formulations that improve the solubility, bioavailability and targeted delivery of candidate compounds in vivo.

Focus

milk-derived extracellular vesicles, cell-penetrating peptide conjugation (including blood-brain and blood-placental barrier crossing), liposomes, drug-loading optimisation, and inhaled / oral routes.

Dissemination, Patient Outreach & Sustainability

Lead Participant: Chelonia SA (Switzerland)

In brief

we share the results - and turn them into lasting impact.

Objective

maximise the project's visibility and impact, and secure the sustainability and exploitation of its results beyond the funding period.

Focus

communication and dissemination strategy, patient outreach, audience-tailored tools and channels, and business planning - including IP strategy and a future marketplace of providers on the AVITHRAPID platform.

FAIR Data Management

Lead Participant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (Germany)

In brief

we keep the project's data findable, open and reusable.

Objective

manage AVITHRAPID's data to FAIR and GDPR-compliant standards across all work packages.

Focus

data-governance guidelines, shared tools, GDPR-compliant infrastructure (e.g. GitHub, Zenodo, domain repositories) and interoperability standards for collaborators.

Project Management

Lead Participant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (Germany)

In brief

we keep the consortium aligned, on time and on budget.

Objective

coordinate project activities, governance and reporting to deliver AVITHRAPID's goals on plan and within budget.

Focus

day-to-day management, EC liaison and reporting, risk management, and internal communication across the consortium.

Meet the Team

Consortium Team

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Members & Partners

Fraunhofer ITMP has a long-standing expertise in early-stage drug discovery, in particular in the field of small molecules targeting infectious diseases. Using state-of-the-art screening methods, Fraunhofer ITMP will support the development of novel antiviral compounds and provide its expertise in data management and handling to the AVITHRAPID consortium.

  • Work Package
  • WP1, Pre-Clinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry
  • WP6, Dissemination, patients outreach and sustainability - Lead participant
  • WP 7, FAIR Data Management - Lead participant
  • WP 8, Project Management- Lead participant, Coordinator

AVITHRAPID intends to develop new treatment options against viral diseases with pandemic potential, which is a huge challenge. We are proud to be part of such an ambitious and innovative project that will help to contain future viral outbreaks and thereby save the lives of many people worldwide.

Chelonia stands out as a key international partner for complex, multi-layer, and multi-stakeholder projects, offering temporary increases in R&D and Business Development resources to companies and research institutions. Additionally, it plays a pivotal role in selecting and engaging Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), marking its importance in driving the success of innovative and challenging projects.

  • Work Package
  • WP6 - Dissemination, patients outreach and sustainability - Lead Participant W6

Participating in the AVITHRAPID project aligns perfectly with Chelonia’s mission to forefront the battle against viral threats through innovative solutions. This project, focused on developing broad-spectrum antivirals, is a crucial step towards safeguarding global health. For Chelonia, it’s an opportunity to contribute our expertise towards a monumental leap in antiviral research and development, reinforcing our commitment to science that serves humanity.

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Lisbon, offers expertise in therapeutic strategies, namely drug interactions with lipids and membrane receptors for the AVITHRAPID project. Our group, the Physical Biochemistry of Drugs & Targets lab, focus on broad spectrum antiviral drugs that cross the blood-brain and blood-placental barriers.
  • Work Package
  • WP2 - Preclinical Developments

The AVITHRAPID project is the ideal environment to advance our broad-spectrum antiviral drug development program. We will contribute to task 2.3 of the Work Package 2 bringing expertise in one animal model of Zika virus infection. Our expectation is that AVITHRAPID will deliver new drug leads to improve readiness and preparedness for the next viral pandemic.

At INRAE we provide unique facilities and know-how to meet experimental needs on small and large animals under high safety containment. The infectiology platform (PFIE) provides the whole international scientific community, both public and private, with high containment facilities for studying infectious diseases. The PFIE conducts in vivo studies on a wide range of farm, wild and laboratory animal species. It enables experiments on numerous biological agents, including MOTs* and GMOs** to be conducted under BSL2 or BSL3 containment. The PFIE also develops new models and designs original experimental systems for veterinary and biomedical research.
  • Work Package
  • WP2 - Preclinical Development - Lead Participant WP 2
  • WP6 - Dissemination, Patient Outreach & Sustainability
  • WP7 - FAIR Data Management
  • WP8 - Project Management
Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF) combines various disciplines and complementary approaches, from basic knowledge of chemistry and biology to those typical of agri-food, animal, industrial and environmental biotechnologies. In the framework of the project, our team is involved in bioinformatic analysis of NGS data, structural characterization of pathogen proteins, drug delivery through milk Extracellular Vescicle.
  • Work Package
  • WP4 – In silico resources and ML applications

The University of Perugia team will contribute to AVITHRAPID by combining expertise in molecular genetics, biotechnology, and drug delivery system design and development. In particular, Prof. Katia Cappelli, Veterinarian and Professor of Molecular Genetics at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Samanta Mecocci, Biotechnologist with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine, will focus on milk-derived extracellular vesicles (EV), bringing their experience in the isolation and characterization of these natural nanostructures. Prof. Stefano Giovagnoli, expert in drug delivery and nanoparticle development at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, will lead the development of a biohybrid EV-liposome platform to deliver antiviral compounds assessed by the other consortium partners. Together, the team will provide the consortium with the capability of transforming different antiviral molecules into bioinspired versatile therapeutic systems to target viral infections.

  • Work Package
  • WP4 - In silico resources and ML applications
  • WP5 - Formulation and Delivery
  • WP6 - Dissemination, Patient Outreach & Sustainability
  • WP7 - FAIR Data Management

We are excited to be part of the consortium and eager to apply our skills to the structural characterization of pathogens and the valorization of milk Extracellular Vescicle as an innovative drug delivery tool.

The Department of Medical Biotechnology at the University of Siena has a long standing experience in the field of antimicrobial drugs including drug discovery and advanced lab support for clinical use of anti-infective agents.
  • Work Package
  • WP1 - Preclinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry

Participating to the AVITHRAPID project is an excellent opportunity to test candidate broad spectrum antivirals against a number of viruses without valid treatment options. Our task is perfectly in line with the strong lab background in antiviral drug discovery. We are excited to be part of the consortium and eager to test new molecules based on the different strategies envisioned in AVITHRAPID.

Elettra Synchrotron Trieste is a multidisciplinary research center, open to the international research community, specialized in generating high quality synchrotron and free-electron laser light to characterize structure and function of matter with sensitivity down to atomic level. The Elettra’s Protein facility applies molecular and structural biology tools to produce and characterize protein targets to support the SBDD process.
  • Work Package
  • WP1 - Preclinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry
  • WP6 - Dissemination, Patient Outreach & Sustainability
  • WP7 - FAIR Data Management

Elettra’s research team is honored to join forces with the AVITHRAPID team. The project holds significant importance within the scientific community, aiming to advance antiviral therapies to mitigate future epidemics. We are enthusiastic about our contribution to the project, providing state-of-the-art tools for exploring protein targets and facilitating structural-based drug design for antiviral therapeutics.

  • Work Package
  • WP1 - Preclinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry
  • WP2 - Preclinical Development

The aim of AVITHRAPID project, developing novel broad-spectrum antivirals, is in line with the strategic goal of LIOS to contribute to solving human health challenges. The consortium is a very powerful set of synergistic competences in which LIOS will bring in its expertise of medicinal chemistry and preclinical drug development. We are most excited for the collaboration opportunities that should lead to successful scientific achievements enabling the protection of society against viral diseases.

Within the University of Tours (France), our research unit is specialized in the study of human viruses, focusing on the replication and the morphogenesis of HIV, hepatitis and emerging viruses. We also explore the impact of the genomic variability of these viruses on infection outcomes such as: pathogenesis, escape from immune response, and antiviral treatment resistance. Finally, the unit develops new original vaccine strategies and broad-spectrum antivirals.
  • Work Package
  • WP1 - Preclinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry
  • WP2 - Preclinical Development

The AVITHRAPID consortium covers all the expertise required for the conception, development and validation of broad-spectrum antiviral agents. These molecules will allow to cope with current epidemics and to be prepared for future ones. We participate in this promising initiative by testing their potency on the emerging viruses that are routinely handled in our biosafety laboratory.

IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava is a leading research, development, and innovation centre active in the fields of high-performance computing, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing and their application to other scientific fields, industry, and society. IT4Innovations operates the most powerful supercomputing systems in the Czech Republic, provided to Czech and foreign research teams from academia and industry. The key research areas of IT4Innovations include big data processing and analysis, machine learning, development of parallel scalable algorithms and algorithms for quantum computers and simulators, solutions to computationally demanding engineering problems, advanced visualisation, virtual reality, modelling for nanotechnologies, and material design.

  • Work Package
  • WP4 – In Silico Resources and Machine Learning - Leading Investigator

In the AVITHRAPID project, IT4Innovations is involved in research activities related to the effective use of supercomputers, including the Karolina supercomputer, for running bioinformatics pipelines and machine learning applications. This includes the efficient processing of large datasets and providing automatic execution and management of computations on supercomputers.

The Department of Pharmacy at UNINA has a long standing experience in the field of drug discovery and medicinal chemistry and has been nominated a Department of Excellence in 2023 on the basis of a project aiming at implementing high level pharmaceutical research and a high degree of sustainability and green synthetic methodologies. Modern medicinal chemistry laboratories are available with up-to-date facilities which guarantee the rapid and efficient synthesis of novel chemical entities. High level research in the field of antiviral agents is a crucial objective at the Department of Pharmacy.

  • Work Package
  • WP1 – Pre-clinical discovery and medicinal chemistry; WP6 – Dissemination, Patient Outreach & Sustainability; WP7 – FAIR Data Management; WP8 – Project Management - Lead participant

The AVITHRAPID consortium can be defined as a transdisciplinary research platform, which will guarantee, through the synergistic action of all the Partners, the development and validation of broad-spectrum antiviral agents. As the WP1 leader, UNINA will not only guarantee high-level research in the antiviral field, but also a careful and effective coordination activity in order to optimize efforts by all partners and, as a final goal, guarantee the efficient transfer of compounds and data to other WPs.

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) is a world-leading institute in global health with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. Associated with the University of Basel, Swiss TPH combines research, education and services at local, national and international levels. The Clinical Operations Unit at the Swiss TPH has extensive expertise in clinical trial service provision, with a successful track record of operating and facilitating research in resource-constraint settings for over 20 years. We understand the barriers to conducting clinical trials in difficult settings and offer strategic, customized patient centric solutions with a high level of flexibility. We appreciate the intricacies of strategic planning in these settings and aim to deliver the highest quality data for clinical trials tailored to each unique project, in particular regulatory approval, which we have done so successfully for several drugs now both at EMA and FDA level.

  • Work Package
  • WP3 – Clinical Development - Partner
  • Work Package
  • WP 3 - Clinical Development - Lead Participant
  • Work Package
  • WP1 - Preclinical Discovery & Medicinal Chemistry
  • Work Package
  • WP4 - In Silico Resources and Machine Learning - Lead Participant WP4
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