Overview

• Published in Science Advances, the work screened 57 synthetic carbohydrate receptors and identified four leads that blocked infection from seven viruses across multiple unrelated families.
• In SARS‑CoV‑2–infected mice, a single dose of a lead compound produced 90% survival compared with 0% in untreated controls.
• Mechanistic data show the molecules bind conserved N‑glycans on viral envelopes, with the lead SCR007 selectively recognizing fucosylated tri‑ and tetra‑branched structures.
• Independent experts and the authors note open questions about host cell effects, immune interactions, and resistance risk that require further study before human testing.
• The team plans additional preclinical development with Phase I trials anticipated around 2028, positioning viral envelope glycans as a newly validated drug target.