Introduction: Successes and Challenges in Antiviral Drug Development

Humanity has long been plagued by various viral pathogens, but only in recent history has the discovery and development of specific and efficacious antiviral drugs provided important countermeasures. Historically, antiviral drug discovery has mainly targeted major chronic viral infections, including human herpesviruses, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Although the lack of a cure for these viruses, except for hepatitis C virus, will likely continue to drive most antiviral research and development efforts, emerging and reemerging acute viral infections, such as influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and Mpox virus, have been the targets of recent success and increasing attention. This chapter provides an overview of those drugs that have been developed to address significant viral diseases over the last 60 years.