Ritonavir News and Research

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Ritonavir, also known as Norvir, is a type of medicine called a protease inhibitor (PI). PIs act by blocking protease, a protein that HIV needs to make more copies of itself. Ritonavir was approved by the FDA on March 1, 1996, for use with other antiretroviral agents in the treatment of HIV infection in adults and children 2 years of age or older. Ritonavir is now approved with other anti-HIV drugs in the treatment of HIV-1 infection in children in individuals over 1 month in age. Studies have shown that ritonavir works as a booster for some other PIs. Taking ritonavir makes it possible to take a lower dose of the other PIs. This medicine does not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS and does not reduce the risk of passing the virus to other people.

An algorithm to predict host cleavage targets of SARS-CoV-2 3CLPro

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers developed a novel bioinformatic algorithm to predict host cleavage targets of the SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease (3CLPro).

23 Jan 2022

PAXLOVID shown to be highly effective against all SARS-CoV-2 variants

A recent study, currently available on bioRxiv* preprint server, shows that a novel protease inhibitor known as nirmatrelvir has potent activity against Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but also other variants evaluated in this paper – which supports its potential role in reducing the disease burden from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

21 Jan 2022

Study shows inequalities in addressing post-acute neurological manifestations of COVID-19

Researchers have explored the inequities in understanding and addressing the neurological complications of COVID-19 among marginalized communities in the United States.

19 Jan 2022

In vitro effect of several antiviral drugs against various SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

An independent study confirms that current and prospective antiviral treatments are effective in inhibiting severe infection from SARS-CoV-2.

4 Jan 2022

UK government signs two new deals to combat the Omicron variant

Millions more cutting-edge antiviral treatments for COVID-19 have been secured for NHS patients as the UK Government signs two new contracts to help tackle Omicron.

22 Dec 2021

Study suggests efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors is not compromised in current COVID-19 variants

A new study has focussed on assessing the Mpro mutants of newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants.

2 Dec 2021

Structure-guided virtual screening identifies novel SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors

A new paper deals with the identification of an antiviral compound that could help in developing additional drugs to help fight COVID-19.

30 Nov 2021

Success of covid antiviral pills hinges on access to speedy and accurate tests

Within a few weeks, perhaps before many Americans finish decorating for the holidays, the U.S. could have access to a new antiviral pill from Merck expected to alter the deadly trajectory of the covid-19 pandemic — with a second option from Pfizer to follow shortly after.

22 Nov 2021

Comparing effectiveness of virus and patients-centered strategies to reduce COVID-19 mortality

Researchers from Sorbonne Université have been reviewing papers exploring different anti-COVID-19 drugs.

19 Nov 2021

Oral SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitor for therapeutic use

A new study describes a new small molecule compound that has shown impressive safety, tolerability, and bioavailability against SARS-CoV-2.

7 Nov 2021

Can targeting autophagy become a new approach to COVID-19 treatment?

In a recent review, the author discusses autophagy as a contributing mechanism of selected drugs that are currently being evaluated to treat COVID‐19.

25 Oct 2021

UK government announces deals to secure two new COVID-19 treatments

Thousands of vulnerable patients could be taking ground-breaking COVID-19 antivirals this winter after the government announced deals to secure two new treatments.

20 Oct 2021

A survey on computational methods in discovering protein inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers review diverse computational methods for drug/inhibitor design and enzymes as potential targets for inhibitors to treat coronaviruses diseases.

12 Oct 2021

Potential covalent SARS-CoV-2 spike protein inhibitors

There remains a significant need for new and effective drugs that can be used to treat COVID-19.

23 Sep 2021

Potential pancoronavirus fusion inhibitors that are effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new study successfully identifies a series of inhibitors that possesses pancoronavirus activity against SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV.

7 Sep 2021

Pfizer moves towards an oral anti-COVID-19 therapy

Researchers in the United States have described a novel antiviral agent against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) currently being evaluated in clinical trials as a treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

2 Aug 2021

Cyperus rotundus medicinal plant shows promise for novel COVID-19 therapeutics

Cyperus rotundus is a plant with a history as herbal medicine, containing many chemical substances frequently found to be drug-like in character: flavonoids, terpenoids, and the like. Compounds sourced from the plant have demonstrated some inhibitory activity against HIV by modulation of the CYP3A4 enzyme, and thus in a drug lead discovery effort, Kumar et al. (July 2021) computationally screened these natural compounds against MPRO in a paper recently published to Computers in Biology and Medicine.

9 Jun 2021

Are COVID-19 medications safe in pregnancy?

Most medications being tested today in clinical trials for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been repurposed from other indications. These are typically not tested in pregnant women. A new study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, summarizes what is known about the safety of these drugs in this group.

24 May 2021

Facets of SARS-CoV-2 infection and animal models

A new study in the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology discusses the ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome of the virus, and the mechanisms by which it establishes infection within the host cell. The researchers also summarize the development of animal models of COVID-19, which will both help understand the clinical features of the illness, and indicate new approaches for the treatment of the infection.

21 May 2021

ANTICOV clinical trial to test new treatment for people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in Africa

The ANTICOV clinical trial, conducted in 13 African countries, has started the recruitment of participants to test a new drug combination, nitazoxanide + ciclesonide, to treat people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 before their cases become severe.

27 Apr 2021