Previously approved drugs starting points for COVID-19 therapeutics
Researchers in the United States have identified several clinically approved compounds that could be repurposed for the treatment and prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
By screening a commercial library of drugs that have already been approved by international regulatory agencies, the team identified more than 50 compounds that demonstrated some efficacy in blocking the initial stage of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the causative agent of COVID-19.
The compounds were able to disrupt the binding of a surface viral protein called Spike to its host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).
Small molecule inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 identified by screening
Even as the vaccine rollout continues against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), seeking to bring an end to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, new variants emerge that show immune escape capabilities. Effective and safe drugs thus remain essential to treat severe infections with this virus.
A new preprint, released on the
bioRxiv server, describes the identification of small molecule inhibitors that block the catalytic activity of the crucial viral non-structural protein 5 (nsp5), using a large-scale screening method.
The importance of nsp5
At least nine enzymes of the virus are important for viral proliferation and are thus ideal for the development of antiviral drugs. These enzymes have the same sequence between different coronaviruses, unlike the spike, nucleocapsid and other structural proteins that are less conserved. This makes vaccines based on the latter protei
Novel protein construct prevents lethal COVID-19 in mice
Researchers in the United States have developed a novel protein that prevented lethal disease among mice infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The team engineered a soluble, short, and dimeric version of the native host cell receptor that is bound by a surface structure on SARS-CoV-2 called spike during the initial stage of the infection process.
The team – from the Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, the University of Chicago, and Northwestern University in Evanston – suspected that a soluble, truncated version of this membrane-bound receptor – called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) – would serve as a decoy for SARS-CoV-2 spike binding and potentially neutralize infection.
CN Bio introduces the PhysioMimix™ OOC Multi-Organ Microphysiological System
CN Bio, a leading developer of single and multi-organ microphysiological systems (MPS), otherwise known as organ-on-a-chip (OOC), today announced the commercial launch of its new PhysioMimix™ OOC Multi-Organ MPS.
The next-generation platform combines CN Bio’s in vitro 3D liver model, whose phenotype and functions mimic that in vivo, with a range of other organs to more accurately recapitulate the multi-organ and systemic effects observed in humans. Demonstrating a key milestone in the Company’s mission to develop the most complete human ‘body-on-a-chip’ in the laboratory, the PhysioMimix OOC Multi-Organ MPS will provide advanced insights into the potential effects of novel therapeutics that were previously only achievable using animal models.
Dual-action monoclonal antibodies from an original SARS survivor show promise against COVID-19
A recent study, currently available on the
bioRxiv preprint server, indicates that a pair of dual-action monoclonal antibodies derived from an original 2003 SARS survivor could play an important role in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to their broadly neutralizing activity and the engagement of the immune system via effector function capabilities.
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While different vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have already been authorized and used pervasively, the goal of swiftly reaching herd immunity may be hampered by supply issues, vaccine hesitancy, and the spread of viral variants. Likewise, those with underlying immunodeficiency may be at risk despite vaccination.