Australia could take a leading role in the development of antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19 and influenza, with the federal government considering boosting research funding to help combat future pandemics.

Amid positive signs the deadly omicron spread could be peaking in parts of Australia, Health Minister Greg Hunt held talks with Nobel laureate immunologist Peter Doherty on Friday, describing advances in therapeutic treatment options for COVID-19 and flu as the next big challenge emerging from the crisis.