Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access

Antiviral Drug Development in the Age of Pandemic Preparedness

Samira El Hafidi^{* *}Correspondence: Samira El Hafidi, Department of Virology and Infectious Diseases, Rabat Center for Biomedical Innovation, Rabat, Morocco, Email:

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The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a profound global wakeup call, revealing critical gaps in pandemic preparedness and the limitations of current antiviral drug pipelines. Antiviral drug development, once narrowly focused on treating established infections like HIV, hepatitis B and C, or influenza, is now evolving into a broader, more dynamic discipline aimed at proactive pandemic response. The emergence of novel and reemerging pathogens with epidemic potential has shifted global attention toward designing broad-spectrum antivirals, rapidresponse platforms, and scalable production strategies that can address both known and unknown viral threats.

Traditional antiviral development has largely followed a pathogen-specific model, in which drugs are designed to target unique viral proteins. This approach, while effective in chronic infections like HIV, is inherently slow and unsuitable for emerging viral outbreaks, where time is a critical factor. As a result, recent strategies are increasingly focusing on broad-spectrum antivirals that can inhibit multiple viruses by targeting conserved mechanisms such as viral polymerases, proteases, or host cell entry pathways. Remdesivir, a nucleotide analogue originally developed for Ebola, exemplifies this shift. Its repurposing during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of having pre-positioned antiviral candidates with cross-viral efficacy.

Another major advancement in pandemic antiviral preparedness is the integration of high-throughput screening and Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven drug discovery. These tools allow researchers to rapidly identify promising compounds by evaluating their activity against viral targets using computational simulations and laboratory assays. AI models can now predict viral protein structures, assess drug-target interactions, and optimize lead compounds in a fraction of the time once required. These innovations enable a swifter transition from bench to bedside, which is essential when new viral pathogens emerge unexpectedly.

Host-Targeted Therapies (HTTs) have also gained attention in pandemic preparedness efforts. Instead of attacking the virus directly, HTTs modulate the host cellular machinery required for viral replication. This strategy reduces the risk of resistance development, a persistent issue with direct-acting antivirals. For instance, drugs that interfere with host proteases, lipid metabolism, or immune modulation have shown promise across a variety of RNA viruses. However, the potential for off-target effects necessitates careful safety profiling and risk-benefit analysis, especially in the context of mass emergency deployment.

Drug repurposing remains a valuable strategy, especially during the early phases of a pandemic when time is limited. Existing drugs with known safety profiles such as favipiravir or lopinavir/ ritonavir can be rapidly tested for efficacy against novel pathogens. While the outcomes have been mixed, this approach still provides a critical bridge while pathogen specific antivirals are under development. Importantly, building comprehensive libraries of repurposable drugs with pre-assessed antiviral potential will further strengthen our pandemic preparedness arsenal.

Collaborative global initiatives such as the Antiviral Program for Pandemics (APP) by the U.S. and similar programs in Europe and Asia underscore the shift toward a globally coordinated effort in antiviral development. These programs aim to accelerate early-stage research, scale-up clinical trials, and ensure equitable access to life-saving treatments. Public-private partnerships, streamlined regulatory frameworks, and international cooperation are indispensable for these initiatives to succeed in real time.

Equally important is the need to develop antivirals that are accessible and affordable to low and middle-income countries. Many of these regions are hotspots for zoonotic spillover due to close human-animal interaction and under-resourced healthcare systems. Therefore, developing heat stable, oral, and low cost antivirals is not just a scientific goal but a moral and public health imperative.

The pandemic has also illuminated the importance of integrating surveillance data with drug development pipelines. Real-time genomic surveillance of viral mutations can inform the development and adaptation of antiviral compounds, ensuring their continued efficacy. This feedback loop is vital in managing highly mutable viruses and preparing for future viral evolution.

In conclusion, antiviral drug development in the age of pandemic preparedness is undergoing a transformative shift from reactive to proactive. The integration of broad spectrum antivirals, AI-assisted design, host-targeted therapies, and global collaboration forms the cornerstone of this new era. While scientific and logistical challenges remain, the pandemic has galvanized unprecedented innovation and investment in antiviral research. The goal now is not only to treat existing infections but to anticipate and counter future viral threats before they reach pandemic scale. Investing in robust antiviral pipelines, rapid diagnostics, and equitable distribution mechanisms will be critical to ensuring global health security in the years to come.