Teen Innovator Wins $100,000 for Antiviral Drug Breakthrough

Adam Kovalčík

Adam Kovalčík, a 19-year-old innovator from Dulovce, Slovakia, has developed a groundbreaking method to produce the antiviral drug galidesivir more efficiently and cost-effectively using corn husks. His work earned him the top prize of $100,000 at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio.

🌽 Innovation Highlights

• Eco-Friendly Starting Material: Kovalčík utilized furfuryl alcohol derived from corn husks—a common agricultural waste product—as the base for synthesizing galidesivir.

• Streamlined Production: He reduced the synthesis process from 15 steps over nine days to 10 steps over five days.

• Cost Reduction: The production cost per gram of galidesivir dropped from approximately $75 to $12.50.

• Enhanced Efficacy: Using his method, Kovalčík synthesized a new molecule that, based on early computer models, could be up to five times more effective against RNA viruses like COVID-19, Ebola, and Zika.

🔬 Future Plans

Kovalčík has filed a preliminary patent for his synthesis process and plans to collaborate with the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava to further develop and scale up production. He also aspires to launch a company focused on creating eco-friendly perfumes from corn-based materials.

This innovation not only offers a more sustainable approach to antiviral drug production but also holds promise for making treatments more accessible worldwide.

Sources

source: Business Insider