Antiviral Drug News and Research

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New insights into coronavirus E channel could lead to antiviral drugs

The genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus encodes 29 proteins, one of which is an ion channel called E. This channel, which transports protons and calcium ions, induces infected cells to launch an inflammatory response that damages tissues and contributes to the symptoms of Covid-19.

13 Oct 2023

Research uncovers a link between antiviral drug for COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 mutations

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, the University of Liverpool, the University of Cape Town and UKHSA have uncovered a link between an antiviral drug for COVID-19 infections called molnupiravir and a pattern of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

25 Sep 2023

COVID drug molnupiravir appears to be driving SARS-CoV-2 to mutate and evolve

Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug used to treat patients with COVID-19, appears to be driving SARS-CoV-2 to mutate and evolve, with some of these new viruses being transmitted onwards, a new study has shown. It is not clear, however, whether these mutated viruses pose an increased risk to patients or are able to evade the vaccine.

25 Sep 2023

Research shows how mosquito-transmitted viruses hijack host cells to promote infection

New Cleveland Clinic research shows how mosquito-transmitted viruses – like Zika, West Nile, Yellow Fever and dengue viruses – hijack host cells to promote their own replication and infection.

16 Aug 2023

Two anti-inflammatory drugs reduce deaths in severe COVID-19 patients

Two anti-inflammatory drugs, abatacept and infliximab, reduced deaths among patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19, according to a national study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. William G. Powderly, MD, (right) who led the large clinical trial, discusses patient conditions with Maanasi Samant, MD, in the intensive care unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, one of the major trial sites, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

10 Jul 2023

Single mutation of the hepatitis E virus stands in the way of sofosbuvir drug's effectiveness

A single mutation stands in the way of a drug's effectiveness. Understanding it helps find new therapeutic approaches.

21 Jun 2023

Antiretroviral treatment efficiently suppresses penile HIV replication

Of the 38 million people worldwide living with HIV, approximately 700,000 are newly infected men, primarily via sexual transmission.

12 Jun 2023

CDC reports on its Mpox response

Research paper provides an overview of the U.S. monkeypox outbreak, highlighting the rapid response, vaccination efforts, and racial disparities in cases. Ongoing surveillance, vaccination, and communication are emphasized as crucial for future prevention.

24 May 2023

Study reveals CMPK-2 protein-coding gene as a potent inhibitor of flaviviruses

CMPK2 identified as a potential pan-flavivirus inhibitor, restricting virus replication and providing a basis for developing new antiviral treatments.

23 Apr 2023

Newly designed molecule disrupts the infection mechanism of SARS-CoV-2

A team of scientists led by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory designed a molecule that disrupts the infection mechanism of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and could be used to develop new treatments for COVID-19 and other viral diseases.

28 Mar 2023

New molecule slows the effects of one of SARS-CoV-2's more dangerous components

Researchers have designed a molecule that slows the effects of one of SARS-CoV-2's more dangerous components – an enzyme called a protease that cuts off the immune system's communications and helps the virus replicate.

28 Mar 2023

Nasally administered molecule effective in preventing all SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers have developed a molecule that is, when administered nasally, extremely effective in preventing the disease caused by all known variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

24 Mar 2023

Molnupiravir-related mutational signatures among COVID-19 patients

Researchers explore a mutational signature related to molnupiravir in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing datasets.

3 Feb 2023

Antiviral activity of natural flavonoids against various coronaviruses

A recent study describes the binding affinity and docking sites of several natural compounds, as well as their inhibitory activity against 3CLpro.

29 Jan 2023

Researchers identify inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 N7-methyltransferase

A recent study identified inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 14 (Nsp14).

17 Jan 2023

New research identifies natural compounds with pan-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activity

Scientists have recently conducted a cell-based high-content screening of over 300 natural compounds and identified three compounds with potent antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

12 Jan 2023

New research on nirmatrelvir resistance in SARS-CoV-2 using powerful replicon cell culture systems

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers at Emory University used severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Washington (WA.1) and Omicron (BA.1) strains to test for mutations that could result in resistance to the antiviral drug nirmatrelvir.

8 Jan 2023