Oral antiviral blocks airborne measles-like virus spread in ferret model
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A new oral antiviral drug candidate, administered either before or after direct-contact or airborne exposure to canine distemper virus, which causes measles-like disease in ferrets, blocks virus transmission and reduces clinical symptoms, according to a study published in the journal Nature Microbiology by researchers at the Center for Translational Antiviral Research (CTAR) at Georgia State University.
The study explored whether prophylactic administration (shortly before or after exposure) of the recently developed clinical candidate GHP-88310, described in Science Advances, a broad-spectrum inhibitor of the viral polymerase, could prevent virus transmission through close contact or the air.
The results demonstrate that GHP-88310 efficiently blocks both forms of viral spread. In addition, the study showed that treatment of infected animals shortened the period during which they could transmit the virus.
"Silencing measles outbreaks quickly is essential to reestablish control over the virus," said senior author Richard Plemper, a Regents' Professor and director of the CTAR. "This study follows our recent development of the drug candidate GHP-88310. It demonstrates that the drug is suitable to augment traditional ring vaccination against measles."
Measles resurgence adds urgency
Since 2025, measles has reemerged in the United States with thousands of cases across multiple states, hundreds of hospitalizations and three confirmed deaths. Large outbreaks in Canada and Mexico with multiple deaths have challenged North America's measles elimination status.
"We were very excited to see that GHP-88310 given by mouth completely prevented airborne transmission in our ferret model of measles," said first author Carolin Lieber, a senior postdoctoral fellow in the Plemper lab. "This finding is unprecedented for a viral polymerase inhibitor and demonstrates the extraordinary antiviral potency of this drug."
Testing contact and airborne spread
To explore relevant conditions of viral transmission, the researchers developed a system that allowed them to pair infected and uninfected animals in direct physical contact or shared airspace, each under controlled environmental parameters.
"We designed the study to recapitulate viral spread between people with direct contact, for instance in a household, and between more distant social contacts, for example in classrooms or other indoor settings that bring people into proximity without direct interaction," said Plemper.
"In addition to this prophylactic benefit, GHP-88310 used therapeutically shortened the duration of disease in our model. If equally applicable to human hosts, it may shorten the severe social and economic burden of prolonged quarantine of patients and further aid outbreak management."
The investigators are now readying GHP-88310 for formal clinical testing.
Additional authors of the study include Josef Wolf, Claire Ruckel and Lauren Harrison of the Center for Translational Antiviral Research in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State.
Publication details
Lieber, C.M., et al. Antiviral GHP-88310 blocks contact-mediated and airborne transmission in a ferret model of measles-like disease, Nature Microbiology (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-026-02419-y
Carolin M. Lieber et al, Developmental candidate GHP-88310/EIDD-3608 with high tolerability and oral efficacy in measles and respiratory paramyxovirus models, Science Advances (2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aef1594
Journal information: Science Advances , Nature Microbiology
Clinical categories
Infectious diseasesCommon illnesses & PreventionClinical pharmacology Provided by Georgia State University Who's behind this story?
Sadie Harley
BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →
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Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →
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