# Center of Excellence for Encephalitic Alphavirus Therapeutics

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCI CTR · 2022 · $5,781,676

## Abstract

Program Abstract- Overall
The proposed Center of Excellence for Encephalitic Alphavirus Therapeutics program proposes to advance
the development of potent small molecule leads targeting Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), Eastern
equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) or V/E/WEEV herein. The
collaborations among the scientists at University of Louisville (UofL; Chung), University of Wisconsin-Madison
(UW; Golden, Elder), University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC; Jonsson, Meibohm, Fitzpatrick,
Tigabu) and University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB; Rossi, Weaver) provides multidisciplinary
expertise in virology with relevant expertise in ABSL-3/select agents, small and large animal models, medicinal
chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and assessment of antiviral compounds in vitro with mechanism of action
capabilities. Moreover, the network has an experienced team led by UTHSC (Bares) to organize the commercial
plan for development of the broad-spectrum antiviral (Encephlavir) for treatment against V/E/WEEV. The broad,
long-range objectives of the Center are to; (1) Optimize the lead quinazolinone series to identify those with
favorable profiles for nonGLP studies with WEEV and EEEV that have broad-spectrum activity for V/E/WEEV;
(2) Define scale-up synthesis of the lead drug substance suitable for later cGMP manufacturing; (3) Conduct
nonclinical virology studies that will aid in the evaluation of the safety and efficacy, the mechanism of action,
target specificity and drug resistance monitoring plan. The proposed multidisciplinary efforts will advance this
lead series through IND-enabling studies. Following the disciplined product development plan, the ultimate goal
of the Center is to move toward a commercially available prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment for VEEV,
EEEV, and WEEV as the primary indication.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10359711
- **Project number:** 5U19AI142762-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCI CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Colleen B Jonsson
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $5,781,676
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-03-06 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10359711

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10359711, Center of Excellence for Encephalitic Alphavirus Therapeutics (5U19AI142762-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10359711. Licensed CC0.

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