A chemically programmed antibody is a long-lasting and potent inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase.

Globalization makes reoccurring influenza pandemics a probable health care concern for the foreseeable future.[1] Although vaccination plays a primary role in the prevention of influenza epidemics and pandemics, vaccines must be designed and produced in advance of the influenza season and cannot be supplied on-demand in response to virus mutation.[2] Thus, efficient anti-influenza drugs are as important as vaccination in epidemic management.[3] Currently, the neuraminidase inhibitors zanamivir (1)[4] and oseltamivir (2)[5] are the mainstay drugs for treatment of infected patients (Figure 1). Each must be administered twice-daily due to their rapid excretion from the body. Therefore, long-lasting and potent anti-influenza drugs are highly attractive alternatives for treatment of influenza infection as well as for prophylaxis.[6]