# Antiviral drug discovery and development: challenges and future directions

## TL;DR

This review discusses progress and challenges in antiviral drug development, focusing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and future strategies like AI and nanotechnology.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of advancements and future directions in antiviral drug discovery, emphasizing AI and nanotechnology.

## Key findings

- Antiviral drug development has advanced significantly, with new strategies like target-based approaches and pharmacokinetic optimization.
- Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in drug discovery for protein prediction and bioactivity forecasting.
- Nanotechnology has enhanced drug delivery and vaccine development, as seen in mRNA vaccines using lipid nanoparticles.

## Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has stimulated extensive endeavors toward the development of therapeutic interventions targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and human proteins for viral infection control, encompassing numerous potential drugs and thousands of patients participating in clinical trials. These concerted efforts have resulted in significant advancements in antiviral drug discovery and development. In this review, we present a comprehensive timeline detailing the development of antiviral drugs, tracing the progression from early viral inhibitors to modern broad-spectrum antiviral agents. We also outline the current status of advancements in antiviral drug discovery, encompassing target-based strategies, innovative mechanism-based approaches, and pharmacokinetic optimization. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges and future prospects gained from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, covering knowledge of artificial intelligence strategies, the utilization of medicinal chemistry tools, and advancements in nanotechnology applications. The application of artificial intelligence in drug discovery is increasingly prevalent, particularly in the areas of protein structure prediction, drug target identification, and bioactivity forecasting. Nanotechnology has played a crucial role in the delivery of antiviral drugs and the development of vaccines, exemplified by the use of lipid nanoparticles in mRNA vaccines. Additionally, we highlight potential future directions for drug discovery, such as targeting membraneless organelles (liquid‒liquid phase separation).