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news.PTC Therapeutics has received a $1m grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to discover antiviral agents for the treatment of dengue fever.
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The grant spread for a year will support research identified by PTC’s proprietary GEMS technology that demonstrates activity against the dengue virus.
PTC grant collaborator Eva Harris said, "In the absence of effective vaccines or mosquito control programs, development of antivirals that can reduce both the burden of classic dengue fever and the risk of developing more severe, life-threatening dengue disease is critical."
PTC using its GEMS technology has found a cell-based DENV assay to screen a series of small molecules aimed at inhibiting key components of the virus.
The NIH grant will be used by the company to further investigate these compounds to develop the first oral therapy specifically designed for dengue treatment.
PTC Therapeutics chief executive officer Stuart Peltz said the grant from the NIH validates the applicability of PTC’s science.
"There are currently no treatments specifically targeting dengue and the disease represents a growing global health concern," Peltz added.