The LEC-Centric Genome-Wide Screen to Identify Cytomegalovirus Dependencies project aims to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets that regulate the infectability of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) by cytomegalovirus (CMV). This work will establish a new therapeutic paradigm, where targeting LEC-virus interactions and leveraging statin (cholesterol lowering drugs) biology and clinically associated efficacy to mimic or repurpose clinically approved therapeutics represents a novel approach to antiviral therapy. A successful host-directed CMV therapy has a multibillion-dollar global market across immunocompromised patients, transplant recipients, oncology populations, and congenital infection risk. The platform also expands commercially into broader antiviral and immune-modulating markets.