The AVITHRAPID research consortium assembles renowned experts from all over Europe to create a critical mass for the development of novel antiviral compounds with broad-spectrum activity. It’s truly interdisciplinary composition enables the setup of a fully operational pre-clinical drug discovery platform starting from target identification and validation up to in-vivo studies in animal models. Moreover, the integration of partners with expertise in clinical trials offers additional capabilities for rapid development of novel antiviral therapeutics. Our action aims to build the foundation for sustaining the cooperation between all partners in order to rapidly respond to future pandemic outbreaks.
Consortium Members
Country
Germany
City
Hamburg
Positioning of Institute
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 (participant)
WP6, Dissemination, patients outreach and sustainability (lead participant)
WP 7, FAIR Data Management (lead participant)
WP 8, Project Management (lead participant, coordinator)
Leading Investigator
Björn Windshügel, Fraunhofer ITMP
Quote Leading Investigator
“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.”
Contact leading person
bjoern.windshuegel@itmp.fraunhofer.de
Website
Country
CH
City
Lugano
Positioning of Institute
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
Role
Lead Participant W6
Leading Investigator
Silvano Coletti, CEO Chelonia SA
Quote Leading Investigator
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.”
Contact leading Person
silvano.coletti@chelonia.swiss
Website
Country
Netherlands
City
Amsterdam
Positioning of Institute
First Health Pharmaceuticals (FHP) has a leading position in the field of small-molecule inhibitors of RNA Helicase host proteins. Human RNA helicases have multifaceted functions and are host proteins hijacked during the replication of various viruses. The DDX3 inhibitors developed by FHP have the potential to become broad spectrum antivirals to fight several potentially pandemic viruses.
Work Packages
WP1 – Preclinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry; WP4 – In silico resources and ML applications; WP5 – Formulation and Delivery
Role
Lead Participant WP5
Leading Investigator
Matteo Andreini
Quote Leading Investigator
“The AVITHRAPID project with its focus on the identification of agents against new potential viral threats represent an ideal initiative for the development of broad spectrum antivirals, such as the DDX3 inhibitors discovered by First Health Pharmaceuticals. We are proud to contribute to this project, and with the help of the whole consortium, to increase the preparedness to future viral outbreaks and avoid the next pandemic.”
Contact leading Person
matteo@firsthealthpharma.com
Website
Country
Portugal
City
Lissabon
Name of Department
Physical Biochemistry of Drugs & Targets lab
Positioning of Institute
The Institute of 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
Role
Partner
Leading Investigator
Miguel Castanho
Quote Leading Investigator
“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.”
Contact leading Person
macastanho@medicina.ulisboa.pt
Website
Miguel Castanho Lab
Country
France
City
Nouzilly
Name Department
Animal Health Department
Positioning of Institute
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 Packages
WP2 – Preclinical Development; WP6 – Dissemination, Patient Outreach & Sustainability; WP7 FAIR Data Management; WP8 – Project Management
Role
Lead Participant WP 2
Leading Investigator
Mickael Riou
Contact leading Person
mickael.riou@inrae.fr; marie-isabelle.thoulouze@envt.fr; christelle.rossignol@inrae.fr;
alisson.niepceron@inrae.fr
Website
https://eng-pfie.val-de-loire.hub.inrae.fr/
Country
Italy
City
Viterbo
Name Department
Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems
Positioning of Institute
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 Packages
WP4 – In silico resources and ML applications; WP5 – Formulation and Delivery; WP6 – Dissemination, Patient Outreach & Sustainability; WP7 FAIR Data Management
Role
Partner
Leading Investigator
Giovanni Chillemi
Quote Leading Investigator
“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.”
Contact leading Person
gchillemi@unitus.it
Website
Country
Italy
City
Siena
Name Department
Department of Medical Biotechnology
Positioning of Institute
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 Packages
WP1 – Preclinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry
Role
Partner
Leading Investigator
Maurizio Zazzi
Quote Leading Investigator
“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.”
Contact leading Person
maurizio.zazzi@unisi.it
Website
www.unisi.it/dipartimenti/dipartimento-biotecnologie-mediche
Country
Italy
City
Trieste
Name Department
Protein Facility, Structural Biology Lab
Positioning of Institute
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 Packages
WP1 – Preclinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry; WP6 – Dissemination, Patient Outreach & Sustainability; WP7 – FAIR Data Management
Role
Partner
Leading Investigator
Paola Storici
Quote Leading Investigator
“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.”
Contact leading Person
paola.storici@elettra.eu
Website
Country
Latvia
City
Riga
Positioning of Institute
Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis
Work Packages
WP1 – Preclinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry; WP2 – Preclinical Development
Role
Partner
Leading Investigator
Aigars Jirgensons, Edgars Liepins
Quote Leading Investigator
“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.”
Contact leading Person
aigars@osi.lv
Website
Country
France
City
Tours
Name Department
Inserm U-1259
Positioning of Institute
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 Packages
WP1 – Preclinical Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry, WP2 – Preclinical Development
Role
Partner
Leading Investigator
Fabrizio Mammano
Quote Leading Investigator
“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.”
Contact leading Person
fabrizio.mammano@inserm.fr
Website
Country
Italy
City
Naples
Name Department
Department of Pharmacy
Positioning of Institute
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 Packages
WP1 – Pre-clinical discovery and medicinal chemistry; WP6 – Dissemination, Patient Outreach & Sustainability; WP7 – FAIR Data Management; WP8 – Project Management
Role
Lead Participant WP1
Leading Investigator
Vincenzo Summa
Quote Leading Investigator
“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.”
Contact leading Person
vincenzo.summa@unina.it
Website
Country
Switzerland
City
Basel
Name Department
Medicine – Clinical Operations
Positioning of Institute
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
Role
Partner
Leading Investigator
Elisabeth Reus
Contact leading Person
elisabeth.reus@swisstph.ch
Website
Country
Italy
City
Rome
Work Package
WP 3 – Clinical Development
Role
Lead Participant WP 3
Website
https://www.reteneuroscienze.it/Istituto/irccs-istituto-nazionale-per-le-malattie-infettive-lazzaro-spallanzani-inmi/
Country
Italy
City
Milan
Work Package
WP4 – In Silico Resources and Machin Learning
Role
Lead Participant WP4
Website