Fighting Future Pandemics

A new partnership between SASOpens in new window, a leader in analytics and software services, and UNC-Chapel HillOpens in new window will transform the drug development process to prevent infectious disease threats from turning into a pandemic like COVID-19.

The partnership is focused on the work of the University’s Rapidly Emerging Antiviral Drug Development Initiative (READDIOpens in new window), which is developing broad spectrum antiviral drugs to have on the shelf to prevent future pandemics. READDI was founded by the UNC Eshelman School of PharmacyOpens in new window, UNC School of MedicineOpens in new window and UNC Opens in new windowGillings School of Global Public HealthOpens in new window.

“What COVID-19 taught us is the importance of being ready not reactive,” said John Bamforth, director of the Eshelman Institute for InnovationOpens in new window at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy at UNC-Chapel Hill. “We want to make sure that during the next pandemic we are prepared with approved drugs and therapeutics to allow the public health system to respond effectively.”

While the initial focus of the joint team is on addressing new treatments for COVID-19Opens in new window, READDI and SAS will continue to work together to meaningfully accelerate drug discovery for other antiviral drugs.

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