New flu drug discovery could help fight future pandemics

Posted on Tuesday 24 March 2026

The international team, including researchers from the University of York, Leiden University, The Francis Crick  Institute and the University of Barcelona, has developed experimental compounds that appear to block the virus more effectively than current medicines.

Flu viruses spread in the body using a tool on their surface called an enzyme. Today’s main treatments, such as Oseltamivir, slow the virus down by temporarily blocking this enzyme. But these drugs don’t stop it completely, and the virus can sometimes work around them.

Professor Gideon Davies, from the University of York’s Department of Chemistry, said: “In the lab we have developed compounds, called ‘sugar aziridines’, which take a stronger approach.

“Instead of just blocking the enzyme for a short time, they lock onto it permanently, stopping it from working altogether. This prevents the virus from spreading from one cell to another, and could make the treatment more powerful and longer-lasting.”

Common virus

In laboratory tests, the new compounds were able to stop common types of flu virus, including H3N2 - a major seasonal strain - and even bird flu strains, like H5N1.

Professor Carme Rovira, from the University of Barcelona, said: “Our combined study let us watch these molecules “shut down” neuraminidase at the atomic level—first by fitting the enzyme’s transition state, then by enabling a covalent lock.”

While this is still early research, the results suggest the approach could work against a range of flu viruses, and may also help improve vaccines.

More testing

Professor Davies said: “Because the compounds attach so precisely to the virus, they can be used as tools to study and measure how well flu vaccines are working, potentially helping scientists design better ones.”

More testing is needed to check they are safe and effective in people, but researchers say the discovery opens up a new way of tackling flu, which could be important in preparing for future outbreaks or pandemics.

Professor Hermen Overkleeft, from Leiden University, said: “We are keen to develop the technology towards clinical application further. This will not be easy, as drug development is a lengthy and costly route where failure is more likely than success. Yet, the unique mode of action of our sugar aziridines, which we are in the process of patent-protecting, gives us a real edge over competing solutions.”

The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.