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 launched the Small Molecule Approaches for Rapid and Robust Treatment (SMART) Antiviral Prize. This opportunity, introduced in collaboration with BARDA Accelerator Network, VITAL, is a $100 million, multi-stage competition to accelerate the development of broad-spectrum novel antiviral therapies targeting the Togaviridae and/or Flaviviridae virus families. These virus families include dengue, Zika, West Nile, and chikungunya, which collectively cause millions of infections annually and are responsible for a growing number of cases in the United States.
Through this prize competition, BARDA aims to strengthen the antiviral development pipeline by supporting innovative small-molecule approaches that can advance efficiently from early concept through Investigational New Drug (IND) readiness. The SMART Antiviral Prize is structured to reward scientific rigor, translational feasibility, and regulatory foresight while maintaining an accelerated development timeline.
Program Structure
The SMART Antiviral Prize is organized as across four distinct stages:
- Concept Stage: Prioritizes a well-articulated technical and development approach rather than extensive experimental data. $20 million total prize pool, with up to eight awards of $2.5 million each.
- Stage 1: Hit-to-Lead: Emphasizes identification of promising chemical series with reproducible cell-based antiviral activity, early structure-activity relationships, and initial absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) and pharmacokinetic (PK) characterization. $36 million total prize pool, with up to six awards of $6 million each.
- Stage 2: Lead Optimization: Focused on optimizing potency, selectivity, and exposure, demonstrating in vivo proof-of-concept efficacy, and nominating an IND candidate and backup. Funding to be announced.
- Stage 3: IND Readiness: Supports completion of the nonclinical package required for first-in-human studies, including Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicology, definitive drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies, chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) readiness, and preparation of an IND-ready submission package. Funding to be announced.
Application Process
The SMART Antiviral Prize application is split into two steps:
- Written Submission
- Virtual Presentation / Pitch Call
The written submission will be evaluated by an expert judging panel. Up to 15 high-scoring applicants will be invited to participate in a virtual presentation, referred to as a Pitch Call. During these Pitch Calls, applicants present their proposed antiviral strategy and respond to questions from the judging panel. Final prize recommendations are informed by both the written submission and Pitch Call performance, with at least one awardee representing each virus family.
Eight Concept Stage awardees will receive seed funding. At least two Concept Stage awardees that meet the defined success criteria will progress to Stage 1. Teams with candidates already in preclinical development can enter Stage 1 without having participated in the Concept Stage. Later-stage awards are expected to support fewer teams as candidates advance toward clinical readiness, reflecting BARDA’s emphasis on down-selecting the most promising and development-ready programs.
Why This Matters for Human Health and Preparedness
There are currently no FDA-approved broad-spectrum antivirals for Togaviridae or Flaviviridae viruses, despite their significant and growing public health impact. By supporting the development of safe and effective small-molecule antivirals with activity across multiple viruses, the SMART Antiviral Prize seeks to close a critical preparedness gap and improve the nation’s ability to respond rapidly to emerging and re-emerging viral threats.
For innovators working at the intersection of medicinal chemistry, virology, and translational drug development, this competition represents a rare opportunity to align cutting-edge science with BARDA’s strategic preparedness mission. Teams that succeed will not only advance their own programs but also contribute to a more resilient and responsive antiviral ecosystem.
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