The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has issued a Request for Information (RFI) focused on AI-Enabled Discovery of Broad-Spectrum Small-Molecule Inhibitors for Filoviruses. Filoviruses, including Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), and Marburg virus (MARV), are high-consequence pathogens that require Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) containment and continue to pose serious biodefense and global health threats. BARDA is using this RFI to assess the current landscape of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled drug discovery capabilities that could support the development of broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics for these dangerous pathogens.
Through this RFI, BARDA is seeking information from organizations with technical capabilities, infrastructure, prior experience, and recommended approaches relevant to the discovery and advancement of potent, safe, broad-spectrum small-molecule therapeutics targeting filoviruses. The RFI is intended for market research only and does not constitute a Request for Project Proposals (RPP), nor does it obligate BARDA or the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) to issue a future solicitation or make any award. However, information gathered through this process may inform future acquisition planning and shape the structure of a potential funding opportunity.
BARDA’s technical focus spans the discovery process from AI-enabled design through lead selection and early preclinical evaluation, including lead selection, in vitro verification, and preclinical in vivo proof-of-concept testing in small animal models. The agency expresses a preference for direct-acting antiviral treatment approaches, though host-targeted approaches relevant to viral replication may also be considered. Approaches focused on host dysregulation or disease state, nucleic acid-based therapeutics, and candidates intended for prophylactic use are out of scope. Importantly, BARDA states that broad-spectrum activity across EBOV, SUDV, and MARV, will be required, with additional preference for candidates that may demonstrate activity against other negative-sense ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses.
The RFI asks respondents to address a range of strategic and technical questions. These include the risks and benefits of a future program focused on a specific viral target versus a broader virus-family-level approach, opportunities to improve upon nucleoside analog RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors, and the types of small-molecule modalities an organization can produce. BARDA is also interested in AI and in silico drug discovery workflows, including data assets, molecular design approaches, docking and binding prediction, synthetic feasibility, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADME-Tox) prediction, and strategies to mitigate viral resistance. Respondents are also asked to describe how experimental data are incorporated into iterative model improvement, as well as their experience with small animal models and early preclinical development for viral pathogens.
Key Dates
The RFI includes the following important dates:
- May 18, 2026: RFI issued
- June 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time: Responses are due by email to [email protected]
Submission and Funding Information
Because this opportunity is currently an RFI and not a formal funding solicitation, BARDA does not identify the number of anticipated awards, expected award size, or expected period of performance. The RFI also states that detailed cost proposals are not requested at this stage. Respondents are instead asked to provide high-level rough-order-of-magnitude cost and timeline estimates for progressing from in silico design to in vivo proof-of-concept, where applicable. Responses should include a cover page with administrative and organizational information and a technical response of no more than five pages.
Respondents do not need to be members of the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle consortium to submit a response to this RFI. However, BARDA notes that organizations would need to be members of the consortium to respond to any future Request for Project Proposals related to this requirement. Respondents may also propose teaming arrangements or partnerships to address the full scope of capabilities described in the RFI.
Advancing Preparedness Through AI-Enabled Therapeutic Discovery
This RFI reflects BARDA’s interest in leveraging AI, structure-based modeling, molecular dynamics, and computational chemistry to modernize antiviral discovery for some of the world’s most dangerous viral pathogens. By accelerating the identification of broad-spectrum small-molecule therapeutics against filoviruses, this effort could help close a critical gap in the current antiviral pipeline and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks of Ebola, Sudan, Marburg, and related viruses. Organizations with relevant AI-enabled discovery platforms, medicinal chemistry capabilities, antiviral testing experience, or preclinical development infrastructure should consider responding to this RFI and positioning for any future RRPV opportunity.
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