Metropolitan AntiViral Drug Accelerator
The mission of the Metropolitan AntiViral Drug Accelerator (MAVDA) is to conduct innovative, multidisciplinary research to develop, optimize and test innovative small molecule antiviral drugs that target coronaviruses (such as SARS-CoV-2), and other viral families with high potential to cause a pandemic in the future. Our goal is to rapidly develop antiviral drugs that can be given orally in an outpatient setting.
Originally launched in May 2022, MAVDA operates under the NIH and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID)’s Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern program. It brings together leading virologists and academic drug discoverers from Rockefeller University, Columbia University, the Hackensack Meridian CDI, Rutgers University, and Princeton University. These academic institutions join forces with proven antiviral drug developers, including Merck, and Aligos Therapeutics. The recently issued Notice of Award allocates $13.89 million (4U19AI171401-02) for the current budget year, with an additional funding recommended for the following year, ensuring the consortium's vital work continues without interruption.
MAVDA’s mission is to discover, optimize, and test innovative small molecule antiviral drugs to target viruses of pandemic potential. The primary goal is to rapidly develop oral drugs for outpatient administration in the near-future. Thus far, the consortium touts 16 patents, >25 high-impact research articles, three promising drug candidates in clinical development, and several IND-ready candidates in the preclinical pipeline.
For more information on AViDD and the program, visit the program’s website. MAVDA is principally located in New York City and New Jersey. It consists of academic and 3 commercial partners.
