Antiviral biomimetic polymers (ABPs) are disclosed that can be used to prevent and/or treat viral disease. The ABPs are discovered by a process involving high-throughput screening of polymer libraries using disease-relevant bioactive molecules as target molecules. ABPs can be nanoscale (termed nanoABPs) or larger. Methods are described for the preparation and use of ABPs as prophylactics and therapeutics (in vivo) and as preventative agents, for example, in personal protective equipment (ex vivo). ABPs can be used to prevent and treat viral diseases including those caused by Filoviridae.