Exscientia, Gates Foundation Invest $70 Million Into COVID-19 Antivirals

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will invest $35 million into UK-based biotech Exscientia to develop new antivirals for SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.

The company, which is also pledging $35 million of its own for the four-year development program, will initially develop new small-molecule therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronavirus-based diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, before branching out into therapeutics for influenza and other viruses.

“We need to fight today’s pandemic but also ensure we are prepared with new drugs to combat viruses with future pandemic potential,” said Exscientia CEO Andrew Hopkins.