Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd. has divulged broad-spectrum coronavirus entry inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19), SARS-CoV infection and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.
Although safe and effective vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 have been successfully developed, there are currently no therapeutic approaches available for treating acute infection, particularly for individuals at high risk of severe disease progression, and for preparedness against a potential new coronavirus pandemic.
Novel vaccines that can effectively target both coronaviruses and influenza viruses would be desirable to counteract the significant health burden these respiratory pathogens pose.
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC has described 3C-like proteinase (3CLpro; Mpro; nsp5) (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 virus) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19).
In a study from the PHOSP-COVID and ISARIC-4C consortia in the U.K., researchers have discovered inflammatory processes taking place during what is termed “long COVID.” Long COVID is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the continuation or development of new symptoms for 3 or more months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is estimated that 1 in 10 SARS-CoV-2 infections results in long COVID, thus affecting about 65 million people worldwide.
Exevir Bio BV has released new data demonstrating that its antibodies are highly potent in neutralizing currently circulating COVID-19 omicron variants.
Tsinghua University has described non-structural protein 3 (nsp3; PL-pro) (SARS-CoV) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of coronavirus acute respiratory syndrome.
Viruses of the Betacoronavirus genus that bind to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) are the coronaviruses posing the most significant pandemic risk. Sarbecoviruses of this genus caused the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Therefore, new vaccines with broader protection from ACE2-binding sarbecoviruses and emerging variants of concern are urgently needed.
Researchers from Aligos Therapeutics Inc. and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven reported on the preclinical activity of ALG-097558, a novel oral available 3CL protease inhibitor with pan-coronavirus antiviral activity.
An international team of researchers has created two bat stem cell lines that reveal an unusual number of viral sequences in bat cells compared with those of other mammals. Writing in an article posted online Feb. 21, 2023, in Cell, the scientists suggested that the unusual amount of viral genetic material found in the bat stem cells could explain why these mammals are largely unaffected by most viral infections, despite being able to transmit them.
