New Oral Drug Candidate Blocks Airborne Measles Transmission in Ferret Study

Broad‑Spectrum Antiviral Blocks Transmission of Measles‑Like Virus in Animal Study

A recently developed antiviral compound, GHP‑88310, was shown to halt the spread of canine distemper virus—a measles‑like pathogen in ferrets—when given before or after exposure. The drug also reduced the severity of clinical symptoms in the infected animals.

The findings were published in Nature Microbiology and build on earlier work describing the molecule’s mechanism as a broad‑spectrum inhibitor of viral polymerase activity (Science Advances).

In the experiments, researchers paired infected ferrets with uninfected counterparts under two conditions: direct physical contact and shared airspace. This setup simulated household transmission and more distant interactions such as those occurring in classrooms or other indoor environments.

When administered orally, GHP‑88310 completely prevented airborne transmission in the ferret model. The senior author, Richard Plemper, a Regents’ Professor and director of the Center for Translational Antiviral Research at Georgia State University, emphasized that rapid control of measles outbreaks is crucial for restoring public health stability.

“Our data show that the drug can complement traditional ring‑vaccination strategies,” Plemper added. “If similar effects are observed in humans, the therapeutic use of GHP‑88310 could shorten the period of contagiousness and lessen the socioeconomic impact of prolonged quarantines.”

First author Carolin Lieber, a senior postdoctoral fellow in the Plemper lab, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the result, noting that few viral polymerase inhibitors have demonstrated such complete blockage of airborne spread.

Since 2025, the United States has experienced a resurgence of measles, with thousands of cases, hundreds of hospitalizations, and three confirmed deaths. Parallel outbreaks in Canada and Mexico, some resulting in fatalities, have threatened the region’s measles‑free status.

With the promising preclinical data, the research team is preparing GHP‑88310 for formal clinical trials, aiming to assess its safety and efficacy in human populations.

The study received funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.