Antiviral Drug News and Research

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Scientists determine trajectory and pathophysiology of post-COVID-19 syndrome

A new study utilizes multisystem imaging, along with biomarker analysis, to better understand the pathogenesis of COVID-19.

30 May 2022

The effectiveness of sotrovimab vs. molnupiravir in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes in non-hospitalized high-risk COVID-19 adult patients

Researchers compared the efficacy of sotrovimab and molnupiravir in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes among non-hospitalized and high-risk COVID-19 patients across England.

25 May 2022

University of Minnesota receives $66 million to establish new antiviral drug discovery center

The University of Minnesota has received $66 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to establish a center to develop antiviral drugs for pandemic-level viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

23 May 2022

UNC-Chapel Hill secures $65 million NIH grant for establishing Antiviral Drug Discovery Center

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health awarded the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health a $65 million grant establishing an Antiviral Drug Discovery Center to develop oral antivirals that can combat pandemic-level viruses like COVID-19.

20 May 2022

NIH awards $577 million to establish AViDD Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded approximately $577 million to establish nine Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern.

18 May 2022

Study explores macromolecular viral entry inhibitors as broad-spectrum first-line antivirals with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities

Researchers created polystyrene sulfonate with significantly different molar masses, constructed these polymers as an exterior around spherical gold nanoparticles of various sizes to improve multivalency effects, measured antiviral effects of the antivirals on numerous viruses in vitro, and investigated the method of interaction of the leads with SARS-CoV-2 and lentiviral particles.

13 May 2022

First oral antiviral approved for early treatment of COVID-19

The United States Food and Drug Administration granted an Emergency Use Authorization in December 2021 for the first oral antiviral, a pill containing two protease inhibitors – nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid, Pfizer) – for early treatment of COVID-19.

11 May 2022

SARS-CoV-2 develops partial resistance to the antiviral drug remdesivir in cell culture

The virus that causes COVID-19 can develop partial resistance to the antiviral drug remdesivir during infection of cultured cells in the laboratory by more than one mechanism.

5 May 2022

CDC reports U.S. case of human avian influenza A(H5) virus

A person has tested positive for avian influenza A(H5) virus (H5 bird flu) in the U.S., as reported by Colorado and confirmed by CDC.

3 May 2022

SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors built on rattlesnake venom scaffold

A new study describes the development of new molecules with inhibitory activity against the SARS-CoV-2 viral main protease (Mpro) enzyme, based on rattlesnake venom.

29 Apr 2022

The diversity of transcriptional targets between four different coronavirus nsp1 proteins

Researchers investigated variations in the host immune response-elicited by non-structural protein 1 of coronaviruses.

22 Apr 2022

Study explores role of APOBEC-mediated RNA editing in SARS-CoV-2 fitness

A new study investigated whether APOBEC proteins can directly edit the RNA sequence of SARS-CoV-2 to generate C-to-U mutations.

14 Apr 2022

Heart complications uncommon for children and young adults after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Heart complications are uncommon, yet treatable for children and young adults after COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association that details what has been learned about how to treat, manage and even prevent cardiovascular complications from the SARS-CoV-2 virus in youth.

12 Apr 2022

Research demonstrates potential of local siRNA delivery as COVID antiviral therapy in the lung

Scientists develop a formulation for the pulmonary administration of siRNA. The aim was to suppress the replication of SARS-CoV-2.

3 Apr 2022

An in-depth analysis of pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and therapeutic options for COVID-19

Scientists discuss the pathogenic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and available therapeutic interventions for treating COVID-19.

3 Apr 2022

Chemical in leafy greens could prevent infections by coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2

Researchers discuss the use of the isothiocyanate sulforaphane for the treatment of both SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 infections.

30 Mar 2022

Black patients with cancer experience worse outcomes after COVID-19 diagnosis

Black patients with cancer experienced significantly worse outcomes after COVID-19 diagnosis than non-Hispanic white cancer patients in a study published March 28 in JAMA Network Open.

28 Mar 2022

Mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission tailored to the unique situation of China

Researchers designed a dynamic mathematical model to simulate the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in China and project its associated burden on healthcare facilities, should the zero-COVID-19 policy be lifted.

28 Mar 2022

Study unveils several natural marine products as potential agents against SARS-CoV-2

A recent study, published in the Journal of Natural Products of the American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy, highlighted three natural marine products as potent inhibitors of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – without any apparent toxic effects for human lung cells.

21 Mar 2022

New insight into SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 protein opens door to new drugs

In a recent research paper currently available on bioRxiv* preprint server, scientists from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and the University of Auckland in New Zealand identified several structural specificities of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that may serve as viable starting points for the development and optimization of viral inhibitors against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other future threats.

16 Mar 2022