ALG-097111 potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in Syrian Hamster model in vivo
Antiviral drugs have been proven successful as a therapeutic approach to inhibit HCV and HIV viral proteases. With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic causing unprecedented morbidity and mortality, there is an urgent need for effective antivirals to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Hence, scientists across the world have been trying to repurpose existing antivirals designed to treat other viruses.
Remdesivir, a nucleotide analog that inhibits the nsp12 polymerase and originally developed for Ebola, was approved to treat SARS (or SARS-CoV-1) as a result of these drug repurposing efforts. Another nsp12 inhibitor, MK-4482/EIDD-2801, is currently being assessed for use in SARS-CoV-2 therapy.