$150M SMART Antiviral Prize to Advance Novel Antiviral Therapies

Advanced Virology Inc. specializes in the production of high-fidelity, experiment-ready virus stocks using exclusively plasmid-based reverse genetics systems, enabling the rapid generation of wild-type, mutant, reporter-expressing, and chimeric viruses directly from genetic sequences. We can produce a broad range of flavivirus and alphaviruses including DENV and CHIKV, with capabilities that include custom viral engineering, reporter virus development (GFP, NanoLuciferase, mCherry), viral RNA production, replicon generation, volume expansion, and comprehensive quality control testing (NGS sequence verification, titer, genome copy number, sterility, mycoplasma, and endotoxin testing). Virus stocks are available in research-ready volumes up to 25 liters, with in-stock materials shipped within two business days and custom virus generation completed in approximately 4 to 12 weeks. Each lot is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis and batch records, and worldwide shipping is available. Pricing is volume-based, beginning at $500/mL for wild-type viruses and $600/mL for reporter viruses at the 1 mL scale, with substantial discounts at larger volumes. Pricing per mL decreases for larger volume orders and reaches $80/mL for volumes exceeding 250 mL. This scalable pricing model allows researchers to access both small-scale screening quantities and large-scale experimental lots from a single supplier.

Specialized laboratory facilities (BSL-2 and BSL-3) to support the Smart Antiviral community’s R&D projects. This includes in vitro antiviral drug screening and validation for DENV therapeutics using the following assays: -Cytotoxicity and therapeutic window assessment (CC50) -Anti-DENV efficacy testing for all four serotypes (EC50 and SI) -DENV antiviral resistance development and characterization -Assessment of human serum protein effects on antiviral activity -Other custom viral assays as requested

The Fisher Drug Discovery Resource Center provides technical consultation and resources for assay development, screening, biophysical characterization, and data analysis to generate reliable evidence and help investigators move promising ideas forward. Scientific Expertise and infrastructure for: Biophysical Characterization: Measure the affinity constants of molecular interactions; show target engagement.

Biophysical measurements can help determine whether reagents and candidate molecules behave as expected.

The DDRC provides complementary approaches for studying molecular interactions, affinity, stability, folding, aggregation, and other properties important to quantitative drug discovery.

Techniques include surface plasmon resonance (SPR), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), microscale thermophoresis (MST), dynamic light scattering (DLS), circular dichroism (CD), Temperature-Related Intensity Change (TRIC), and thermal stability measurements.

Using multiple orthogonal approaches can be particularly valuable for validating screening results and distinguishing meaningful biological activity from experimental artifacts.

Resources. UTMB provides a comprehensive, one-stop drug discovery platform for orthoflaviviruses, including dengue virus (all 4 serotypes with diverse strains), West Nile virus, yellow fever virus, Zika virus, and other medically important flaviviruses. We can also support CHIKV antiviral drug discovery. This infrastructure supports antiviral discovery from early screening through preclinical development. Assays. We have established a broad portfolio of validated antiviral assays. Cell-based platforms include fluorescence- and luciferase-based high-throughput screening assays, high-content imaging assays, viral titer reduction assays, and counterscreening workflows. Target-based assays include dengue virus NS4B binding, NS3 protease, and NS5 polymerase assays. Additional biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays can be rapidly developed and adapted to project-specific needs. Experience. Our team has been actively engaged in orthoflavivirus biology and antiviral drug discovery for more than a decade and served as the virology core for the UTMB-Novartis Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness (UNAPP) from 2022 to 2025. All reagents, viral systems, and assay platforms have been extensively validated and have supported multiple flavivirus programs from hit discovery and lead optimization through IND-enabling studies. Our efforts have contributed to the development of dengue antiviral candidates that have advanced into Phase II clinical evaluation, demonstrating our ability to translate basic virology into therapeutic development. Team: Our team has extensive experience collaborating across academia, industry, and government-sponsored programs, combining complementary expertise in virology, assay development, screening, medicinal chemistry, and translational science to efficiently advance antiviral discovery projects from concept to development candidate selection.

Virology Research Services (VRS) is a specialist virology CRO providing in vitro antiviral testing, assay development, and virus characterisation services, with particular experience in early-stage antiviral R&D and bespoke assay development. Technical capabilities - VRS has established experience working with arboviruses, including dengue virus (all four serotypes), Yellow fever virus 17D, Zika virus, Semliki Forest virus, Ross River virus, Sindbis virus and, as VLP systems, Chikungunya virus and West Nile virus. Our capabilities include antiviral efficacy testing, virus infectivity assays, dose-response studies, cytotoxicity assessment, resistance passaging, and other bespoke assay formats. Readouts can include CPE, plaque formation, imaging-based measurements, and qPCR. Bespoke capabilities - We have particular experience developing and adapting assays to answer specific client questions rather than relying solely on off-the-shelf formats. This includes the development of bespoke assays to investigate antiviral activity or mechanisms of action, assay qualification, and adaptation of established methods to experimental requirements. We also provide flexibility in the administration of the test compound to better suit the experimental question and needs. Project requirements and throughput - Project requirements depend on the virus, assay format, and stage of development. We can work with relatively small quantities of compounds or samples for exploratory studies: our 96-well plate assays typically require approximately 2-3 mL at the highest test concentration for experiments carried out in triplicate wells. VRS is particularly suited to small-to-medium-sized compound sets, up to tens of thousands of compounds for high-throughput screening (no minimum). Lead time and turnaround - Lead times depend on whether an assay is already established or requires development or optimisation. Established assays can generally be initiated within 7–10 working days following agreement of the experimental design and receipt of materials. Results for smaller studies are typically delivered within 2–4 weeks from initiation, depending on the size of the study. For larger studies, data can be provided as they become available, without necessarily waiting for the completion of the whole study. Pricing - Pricing depends on the virus, assay format, number of compounds, concentrations, and replicates, and whether assay development is required. We are happy to provide quotations for individual studies or defined work packages. Why work with us? - VRS combines deep virology expertise to supporting projects from initial screening through to project-specific follow-up experiments. We offer direct and accessible scientific communication, flexible project design, and bespoke assay development. This makes VRS particularly suitable for early-stage antiviral projects who need a virology partner to help translate an antiviral concept into a robust experimental assay.