Researchers have identified the structural basis for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition by the drug Remdesivir. The findings reveal a potential binding pattern that offers support for the design of new, more efficient, and specific anti-COVID-19 drugs.
27 existing drugs which are currently not under evaluation for COVID-19 are effective at halting the replication of SARS-CoV-2. Four of the drugs, apilimod, MLN-3897, VBY-825, and ONO 5334, which have previously been tested for the treatment of a range of diseases from rheumatoid arthritis to cancer, appear to be the best candidates for coronavirus treatment.
Researchers conducting a clinical trial of Remdesivir to treat coronavirus report the drug appears to be promising. The drug, initially designed to treat Ebola, is well tolerated, and patients treated with the drug are showing signs of recovery. Early indications suggest Remdesivir could stave off the need for intubating patients suffering from COVID-19.
Remdesivir, a drug initially developed to fight Ebola and currently being fast-tracked into trials for COVID-19, is highly effective at stopping the replication mechanism of coronavirus. The drug tricks the virus by mimicking its building blocks, causing the inhibitor to get incorporated repeatedly, and preventing replication of SARS-CoV-2.
