A new broad spectrum antiviral drug called LJ001 targets the lipid membrane of viruses, which it can damage irreversibly. In contrast to current antivirals, LJ001 works against a wide range of viruses regardless of type or mutations. It has shown effectiveness in mice against Ebola and Rift Valley fever virus. LJ001 offers the potential for a single treatment against multiple existing and future viruses by attacking a fundamental property of viral cells.

1. Broad Spectrum Antiviral Medication: LJ001 By Cyrus E. Kuschner and Jukie Tsai

2. Filoviridae Poxvirus Arena Virus Flaviviridae

3. Viral Characteristics Two Types of Viruses Non-enveloped Lipid-enveloped HiV-1 Influenza A Ebola AIDS Hemorrhagic fever Rift Valley fever

4. History of Broad Spectrum Antiviral Medication Current Broad Spectrum viral medications exist All past attempts to target broad characteristics have been inefficient Ribavirin Limited to very specific number of viruses a - interferon Has Significant side effects Attacks the RNA and DNA replication Extremely expensive

5. A New Medication Compound is derived from rhodanine Dubbed LJ001 Targets the lipid membrane of all cells Metabolically active cells are able to repair the membrane's damage Static viral membranes have no inherent regenerative capacity Damage created by LJ001 is permanent and irreversible Current testing on Mice has confirmed its protective value against Ebola and Rift Valley fever virus

6. LJ001's Potential Offers a single cure for a multitude of current viruses Broad method of targeting cells allows LJ001 to continue to effectively kill viruses even after multiple mutations

7. Works Cited http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-02/lj001-acts-antibiotics-viruses Rivero, Enrique. &quot;Researchers find 'broad spectrum' antiviral that fights multitude of viruses.&quot; www.eurekalert.org . 01/02/2010. Eurekalert, Web. 2 Feb 2010. < http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-02/uoc--rf020110.php# >.