Cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitors (CENis) - NHRC

The Naval Medical Research Command is seeking a contractor to develop Cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitors (CENis) as broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics. The project includes all activities required to select lead CENi candidates, including in vitro and in vivo efficacy studies and characterization and optimization of lead compounds. The work will be performed over a 36-month period and will involve research support expertise regarding the preclinical development of cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitors with viruses that require biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) containment. The key objectives of the project include evaluating the efficacy of CENi compounds, identifying and characterizing new CENi compounds, and characterizing and optimizing lead CENi compounds. • The project will involve in vitro and in vivo efficacy studies against various viruses, including arenaviruses and bunyaviruses. • The contractor will be required to provide materials to the Naval Medical Research Command and participate in monthly progress meetings and quarterly progress reports. • The project will involve working with biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) containment and will require approval from the University of Texas Medical Branch Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the USAMRDC Office of Human and Animal Research Oversight (OHARO). • The contractor will be required to submit quarterly technical progress reports and a comprehensive final report summarizing all project activities, data, and outcomes.