The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the rate of emergence of new viral threats significantly exceeds the rate of development of new antiviral drugs. That is why today the world’s leading scientific centers are changing their approach: instead of responding to already existing infections, they are investing in the creation of drugs that can be effective against viruses with pandemic potential.
One of the largest international initiatives in this direction is the Antiviral Program for Pandemics (APP), coordinated by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Ukrainian scientists also joined the implementation of this program.
Mykola Gogol Nizhyn State University participates in the implementation of the NIAID B11 scientific program — “Comprehensive in vitro antiviral screening against viruses of pandemic potential under Antiviral Program for Pandemics (APP)” in accordance with the five-year agreement No. 2026-035 between NIH/NIAID and the university.
The main goal of the project is a comprehensive laboratory screening of new chemical compounds that could potentially become the basis of future antiviral drugs.
This is precisely the in vitro study — at the preclinical stage, when the ability of molecules to inhibit the replication of various viruses is assessed in laboratory conditions. This approach allows the selection of the most promising compounds for further stages of pharmaceutical development.
Within the framework of international cooperation, Ukrainian scientists carry out:
After that, the compounds undergo a series of experimental studies, during which the following are evaluated:
Such a multi-level approach is a standard in modern pharmaceutical science and allows for more efficient selection of promising molecules before the start of costly preclinical and clinical studies.
The participation of Ukrainian researchers in the NIH/NIAID program demonstrates the integration of domestic science into the international research ecosystem.
Such projects contribute to:
In addition to the practical result, such cooperation provides Ukrainian scientific teams with access to modern methods for assessing the biological activity of compounds and international expertise.
Senior researcher at the Institute of Nanotechnologies and Organic Products “AVELIFE”, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Anatoliy Demchenko, was also involved in the scientific work.
When applying for participation in the program to support Ukrainian researchers, the professor noted that popularization of science is an integral part of the Institute’s activities.
Modern research in the fields of chemistry, biology, and pharmacy should be understandable not only to a narrow circle of specialists. It should also be accessible to business representatives, government agencies, international partners, and society, because it is the openness of scientific knowledge that contributes to its practical use.
Most modern public health experts agree that future pandemics remain one of the global risks of the 21st century. That is why international research programs that combine the competencies of universities, government research institutions, and the pharmaceutical industry are gaining increasing importance today.
The participation of Ukrainian scientists in the APP program demonstrates the possibility of integrating national science into international research initiatives aimed at creating new approaches to combating viral diseases.
At the same time, the results of laboratory screening are only the initial stage of pharmaceutical development. Further confirmation of the efficacy and safety of potential drugs requires large-scale preclinical and clinical studies in accordance with international requirements.
International programs such as the Antiviral Program for Pandemics demonstrate a modern approach to ensuring biological security — a systematic search for new antiviral molecules even before new pandemic threats emerge.
The participation of Ukrainian scientists in such projects contributes to the development of national science, strengthening international cooperation, and accumulating the experience necessary to create innovative pharmaceutical solutions in the future.
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