Novartis AG has described 3C-like proteinase (3CLpro) (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 virus) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19).
The soluble form of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hsACE2) could prevent SARS-CoV-2 from binding to the host cell receptors through competitive inhibition, which may avoid viral infection. However, the relatively short half-life of the recombinant hsACE2 limits its clinical application.
Formycon AG has published preclinical in vivo results for the development of its COVID-19 drug FYB-207. In in vivo studies, data were collected in two different models on the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of various constructs of the ACE2-Fc fusion protein, in order to select the most appropriate candidate to enter the clinic.
Results from a study carried out by the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative show that rare deleterious variants in the immune-system gene TLR7 make carriers more than five times more likely to have a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. The TLR7 gene encodes Toll-like receptor 7 protein, which plays a protective role in the immune system by identifying pathogens and activating innate immunity.
While weekly global and U.S. confirmed cases of COVID-19 are below each of the last two years, infectious disease experts remain on guard. There are still about 1,500 people dying around the world each day, including 350 in the U.S., and the SARS-CoV-2 virus may continue to find ways to outmaneuver current treatments and vaccines.
Researchers from Emory University have discovered a novel broadly neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibody, 002-S21F2, being developed as a potential anti-coronavirus therapeutic.
The U.K. is launching a coordinated national program of research into the unprecedented outbreak of monkeypox that has spread across Europe and North America – regions where the disease is not endemic – over the past six months. Taking a lead from the SARS-CoV-2 playbook, there will be work to sequence the viral genome and to study how it is evolving, linking this to changes in the transmission and pathology of the virus.
