LDS is project partner in UNAVIR Project (Malattie Virali Rare: una strategia innovative per combatterle con un unico agente antivirale), together with University of Siena (lead institution), University of Florence, University of Pisa, and VisMederi.
UNAVIR is beneficiary of the “FAS Salute 2014” Call of Tuscany Region and is supported by Distretto Toscano Scienze della Vita.
The project aims at developing broad spectrum antiviral agents able to stop the progression of several viral diseases, such as Dengue and Chikungunya fever. By choosing a human protein as the biological target, it will be possible to overcome the resistance which is commonly developed by viral proteins against drugs. It is an innovative therapeutic approach for the treatment of rare viral infections including Dengue, Chikungunya fever, and West Nile viral disease, and whose incidence is constantly growing.
Within UNAVIR, LDS will guide the design and synthesis of new molecules which will be then tested in vitro by the other partners.