The University of Parma is at the forefront of Italian and international research in the fight against emerging viruses. This is the result of the PANVIRIDE project, which was led by Marco Radi, a professor in the Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and included six Italian universities (Parma as the lead partner, Catanzaro, Perugia, Pisa, Sassari, and Salerno) as well as the Italian-American biotech company ViroStatics Srl. The project, which was funded with €2 million under the NRRP, has developed hundreds of novel molecules with antiviral activity, including four broad-spectrum preclinical candidates. Additionally, it has developed innovative therapeutic strategies against emerging and re-emerging viruses. "PANVIRIDE was developed in response to the necessity of addressing a deficiency in the availability of broad-spectrum antivirals", explained Professor Radi. "The results obtained illustrate the capacity of Italian university research to produce tangible innovation and enhance preparedness for future health emergencies". The initiative also included a robust training component, which involved the recruitment of 17 young researchers, of whom over half were women.