With Measles Roaring Back, the Search for a Drug is On
The New York Times • • health
Key Points:
- Measles, once considered a largely controlled disease in the U.S. due to effective vaccination, has seen a resurgence since 2025 with outbreaks in unvaccinated communities, marking the worst year since 1991.
- Interest in developing measles treatments has surged recently, with biotechnology companies initiating antibody and antiviral testing to address the rising incidence.
- Academic research, including work led by Dr. Dawid Zyla, has produced promising early results on experimental drugs targeting measles.
- Despite progress, it remains uncertain when or if these new therapeutics will become widely available, as development and testing are still in early stages.
- The renewed spread of measles has created a potential market for treatments that was previously considered unnecessary, prompting increased investment and research efforts.