VIB works on antiviral drug aimed to halt coronavirus outbreak

The lab of professor Xavier Saelens (VIB-Ghent University) is quickly mobilizing to try to find a treatment for the viral infection caused by the corona virus. Since the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak was reported by China in December 2019, the number of confirmed cases of the virus is increasing rapidly, with cases now reported in 28 countries. All over the world, scientists are rushing to develop vaccines or treatments for the respiratory disease. Research from the lab of professor Xavier Saelens in the VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology has already resulted in novel vaccines and antivirals against influenza and RSV that are currently in or making their way to the clinic. Saelens and colleagues are committed to fight not only established but also emerging epidemic threats, which is a key strategic focus for the VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology. The Saelens team has immediately kicked off a new research line to find an antiviral that could control the new coronavirus. In view of the urgency of the matter, the Center quickly added additional staff to the team and VIB's Discovery Sciences unit is providing advice.