A new drug against the common cold has produced promising results, shortening
the duration of the illness by up to four days. If successful in larger trials,
the drug could also treat other diseases caused by rhinoviruses and
enteroviruses, including meningitis and polio.
The drug, called Pleconaril, was designed by scientists at ViroPharma in
Philadelphia to bind into a groove in the outer coat of the viruses, preventing
them from infecting healthy cells.
