New Antiviral Drug Candidate Shows Promise Against Measles and Croup
This new drug candidate is effective against measles and other viruses, researchers say
The Independent
Image: The Independent
Researchers at Georgia State University have developed a new antiviral drug candidate, GHP-88310, which shows effectiveness against measles and croup, both caused by orthoparamyxoviruses. The drug is taken orally once daily and has shown good tolerability in animal studies, addressing a critical need for effective treatments in vulnerable populations.
- 01GHP-88310 is noted as the most promising inhibitor of orthoparamyxoviruses in recent research.
- 02Current treatments for croup rely on steroids, while measles is preventable through vaccination, with no approved antiviral drugs available.
- 03The drug has shown high potency and excellent tolerability in animal studies, making it suitable for children and immunocompromised patients.
- 04Approximately 3% of U.S. children experience croup annually, and most measles cases this year have occurred in individuals under 19.
- 05Falling vaccination rates have contributed to a resurgence of measles, necessitating improved treatment options.
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Researchers at Georgia State University have introduced a new antiviral drug candidate, GHP-88310, which may offer effective treatment for measles, croup, and other respiratory infections caused by orthoparamyxoviruses. This drug, taken orally once a day, has demonstrated promising results in animal studies, showing high potency and excellent tolerability, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and the immunocompromised. Currently, croup is treated with steroids, and measles is preventable through vaccination, but no antiviral drugs are federally approved for treating these diseases. The development of GHP-88310 aims to fill this gap, especially as vaccination rates have declined, leading to increased measles cases in the U.S. The researchers initially targeted parainfluenza virus type 3, which lacks available vaccines or therapies. The need for herd immunity, with 95% vaccination coverage to prevent measles spread, has become critical as current rates fall below 90%. This drug could significantly impact public health by providing a treatment option for these viral infections.
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The introduction of GHP-88310 could provide a much-needed treatment option for measles and croup, particularly benefiting children and immunocompromised individuals.
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