About BIOVIRAL

• Background

  The increasing frequency of pandemics caused by emerging viruses poses a major global health challenge. Currently, no broad-spectrum antivirals exist that can target multiple viral families simultaneously, and the demand extends beyond human health to animal viruses.

  Developing new antivirals is costly and time-consuming, making theoretical models essential to predict drug behavior, efficacy, and interactions. These tools reduce costs, shorten timelines, and minimize the need for animal testing. BIOVIRAL combines experimental research with advanced simulations to develop effective antivirals against two diverse pathogens: Zika Virus (ZIKV) and Monkeypox Virus (MPXV). Both represent risk-emergent threats with outbreak potential. The project will uncover the mechanisms of action of a newly engineered antiviral family derived from biofuel by-products, jojobyl alcohols (JA). Simulations will explore how these biobased molecules interact with viral structures and cellular functional groups.

  Promising candidates will undergo in vitro testing to assess cytotoxicity and antiviral efficacy against ZIKV and MPXV. Through these assays, BIOVIRAL will also determine whether JA targets viral entry, replication, morphogenesis, or budding. These experiments will generate key insights into the antiviral potential of JA. Additionally, the project introduces an optimized bio-based extraction method that improves efficiency and reproducibility over current approaches. Designed to be versatile and broadly applicable across viral families, this strategy maximizes translational potential.

  Ultimately, BIOVIRAL pioneers a novel methodology for antiviral development using a combination of biomass-based derivative with molecular biology and computational simulations which will reduce animal testing and offering a transformative, state-of-the-art approach to future global health threats.

• Aims

  Emerging viruses pose a critical threat to global public health as zoonotic and rapidly mutating pathogens continue to challenge existing medical countermeasures. Currently, there are no broad-spectrum antivirals available to target multiple viral families simultaneously, primarily due to the vast diversity in their genome structures and replication mechanisms. Despite recent advancements, there are still significant knowledge gaps in addressing these viral threats effectively. The increasing frequency of pandemics and outbreaks underscores the urgent need for innovative antiviral strategies capable of combating a wide range of viruses, particularly those with pandemic potential.

  In this context, the BIOVIRAL project aims to generate groundbreaking insights to strengthen the fight against current and emerging viral threats. BIOVIRAL will provide a newly engineered family of antiviral derived from natural biofuel by-products. This next generation a family of antivirals offers a targeted, sustainable solution with broad-spectrum potential and low adverse effects. Through an interdisciplinary approach, BIOVIRAL will explore how these compounds interact with viral structures and the host immune system, paving the way for the discovery of multivalent antiviral compounds.

  

• Participants

  Dr. Graciela Brizuela

  Universidad Nacional de Sur, Argentina

  Dr. Beatriz Escudero Perez

  Instituto de Salud Global Barcelona, Spain

• This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, under grant agreement No 101289425.