Developing antivirals ‘next big COVID-19 mission’: Hunt

Tom McIlroyPolitical reporter

Jan 23, 2022 – 10.00pm

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Australia could take a leading role in the development of antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19 and influenza, with the federal government considering boosting research funding to help combat future pandemics.

Amid positive signs the deadly omicron spread could be peaking in parts of Australia, Health Minister Greg Hunt held talks with Nobel laureate immunologist Peter Doherty on Friday, describing advances in therapeutic treatment options for COVID-19 and flu as the next big challenge emerging from the crisis.

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Speaking to The Australian Financial Review ahead of Tuesday’s second anniversary of Australia’s first COVID-19 case, Mr Hunt said common antibacterial products had allowed management of dangerous infections, but a similar response was needed to counter rapidly spreading viruses.

“[Professor Doherty’s] advice to me was that broad-spectrum antivirals are the world’s future in this space, and that research investment is fundamental,” Mr Hunt said.

Broad-spectrum antivirals include drugs targeting host-cell machinery essential for virus infection and replication, as well as drugs designed to target viruses directly.