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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 

Contact ASPR Press Office
ASPRMedia@hhs.gov
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BARDA Launch​es $100 Million Prize Competition to Spur Innovation in Novel, Broad-spectrum Antivirals



Today, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), in collaboration with VITAL – a BARDA Accelerator Network Hub – opened solicitations for the SMART Antiviral Prize, a $100M initiative supporting development of broad-spectrum, small-molecule antiviral therapies targeting viruses in the Togaviridae and Flaviviridae families.

“Currently, no FDA-approved broad-spectrum antivirals exist for any viruses within these families, which include dengue, Zika, West Nile, and Chikungunya,” said ASPR Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary John Knox. “Building a stronger antiviral pipeline that addresses these gaps is essential to improving preparedness, protecting national health security, and enabling rapid treatment during outbreaks.”

The Small Molecule Approaches for Rapid and Robust Treatment (SMART) Prize competition will bring together experts in drug development, virology, artificial intelligence, medicinal chemistry, and public health to help develop easily administered and resilient antiviral drugs capable of targeting multiple viruses within the same family. These viruses cause millions of infections each year.

“The SMART Antiviral Prize highlights how BARDA is using innovative partnership models to encourage both traditional and non-traditional innovators to develop creative and feasible solutions that help protect our nation’s health,” said BARDA Director Gary Disbrow, PhD. “Each broad-spectrum antiviral that advances to the clinic could help protect Americans from today’s threats and those still to come, providing greater value and stronger protection for our communities.”

The prize competition is expected to include multiple stages, beginning with today’s Concept Stage solicitation, which requires entrants to submit concept papers describing their plans to discover or advance broad-spectrum small-molecule antivirals for Togaviridae and/or Flaviviridae.

Up to three additional stages are anticipated:

  • Hit-to-lead: Identify promising drug candidates and complete studies that show reproducible antiviral activity against the virus family(ies) of interest.
  • Lead Optimization: Optimize drug features, demonstrate in vivo efficacy, and identify the best candidate suitable for Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies.
  • IND-enabling: Complete the nonclinical studies that FDA requires for human safety studies, conduct appropriate FDA interactions, and assemble an IND-ready submission package suitable to initiate clinical trials.

VITAL will host a series of SMART Antiviral Prize virtual information sessions beginning in February 2026. To register for the events or to learn more about the competition, visit the VITAL’s SMART Antiviral Prize website.

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 Content Editor