Antiviral options for biodefense

•Emerging viral diseases and bioterrorism using viral agents are bonafide threats.•Antivirals against Category A viral biodefense threats are greatly needed.•For most viral biothreats, antiviral drugs are not available.•Significant progress has been made toward poxvirus antiviral therapeutics.•Arestvyr is included in the Strategic National Stockpile.

A key to biodefense strategies is an assessment of current therapies available as well as the expedited development of new antiviral therapeutic options. Viruses make up the majority of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Category A Priority Pathogens, agents that are considered to pose the greatest risk to public health and national security, and yet there are currently no approved treatments for most of these viral biodefense threats. A review of the Category A viral biothreat agents and strategies for the development of new therapeutics are presented here.