Here, we explore the dynamics of the response of the scientific community to several epidemics, including Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), as assessed by the numbers of clinical trials, publications, and level of research funding over time. All six prior epidemics studied [bird flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), swine flu, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Ebola, and Zika] were characterized by an initial spike of research response that flattened shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, no antiviral medications have been discovered to date as treatments for any of these diseases. By contrast, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has garnered consistent research investment since it began and resulted in drugs being developed within 7 years of its start date, with many more to follow. We argue that, to develop effective treatments for COVID-19 and be prepared for future epidemics, long-term, consistent investment in antiviral research is needed.

在这里，我们通过一段时间内的临床试验数量、出版物和研究经费水平来评估科学界对包括 2019 年冠状病毒病 (COVID-19) 在内的多种流行病的反应动态。之前研究的所有六种流行病[禽流感、严重急性呼吸系统综合症（SARS）、猪流感、中东呼吸综合症（MERS）、埃博拉病毒和寨卡病毒]的特点是研究反应最初出现高峰，但随后不久就趋于平缓。不幸的是，迄今为止尚未发现任何抗病毒药物可以治疗这些疾病。相比之下，艾滋病毒/艾滋病大流行自开始以来就获得了持续的研究投资，并在开始之日起 7 年内开发出药物，随后还会有更多药物被开发出来。我们认为，为了开发针对 COVID-19 的有效治疗方法并为未来的流行病做好准备，需要对抗病毒研究进行长期、持续的投资。