Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a serious disorder that develops after SARS-CoV-2 infection, could arise from latent infection of another pathogen, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the German Rheumatology Research Center (DRFZ) have linked the inflammatory effect of this co-infection with transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), ruling out the possibility that MIS-C is caused by an autoimmune reaction, or persistence of the coronavirus in the body.

Although several vaccines and drugs are available against SARS-CoV-2, the search for effective therapeutic agents for COVID-19 and future zoonotic coronaviruses continues. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a relevant drug target in several RNA viral infections, such as SARS-CoV-2 (targeted by the approved drugs remdesivir and molnupiravir), hepatitis C, influenza and dengue viruses.

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.

In 2020, the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) was the first scientific conference to move from in-person to virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the fifth anniversary of the virtual conference, and the pandemic, some of those earliest COVID-19 patients have still not recovered.

Researchers from Kevirx Inc. and collaborators have described the use of KVX-053, a PTP4A3 inhibitor aimed to be used for the prevention of COVID-19-associated cute lung injury (ALI).

Ocugen Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA for OCU-500, an inhaled mucosal vaccine for COVID-19. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will sponsor and conduct a phase I trial of OCU-500 administered via inhalation into the lungs and intranasally as a spray.