# Development of anti-Yellow Fever agents in vitro and in mice

> **NIH NIH R21** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $195,000

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Yellow fever virus (YFV) is a vector borne Flavivirus which is categorized under category B as a priority emerging
pathogen by NIAID in conjunction with the U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Center for
Disease Control (CDC). Despite the availability of a vaccine, YFV continues to be a significant public health
threat with recent outbreaks in Brazil and some African countries. Therefore, development of antiviral agents
remains highly pertinent. The major goal of our proposal is to develop potent antiviral candidate(s) for YFV. We
recently identified several lead compounds from our nucleoside analog library with sub-micromolar anti-YFV
activity in Huh-7 cells. Our research plan includes two Specific Aims: 1) Chemical optimization and
determination of antiviral activity and toxicity profiles of lead compounds for inhibition of YFV infection in relevant
novel biological systems; and 2) To determine the stability, pharmacokinetics and in vivo efficacy of the lead
compound(s) for antiviral activity against YFV in a relevant mouse model. Selection for drug resistant viruses will
also be performed and confirmed by site directed mutagenesis. Results from these preclinical studies will help
identify potential clinical candidate(s) for treatment of YFV infection in humans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10256792
- **Project number:** 5R21AI146503-02
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES J KOHLER
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $195,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-08 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10256792

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10256792, Development of anti-Yellow Fever agents in vitro and in mice (5R21AI146503-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10256792. Licensed CC0.

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