Molnupiravir maintains antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants and exhibits a high barrier to the development of resistance.

ABSTRACT: Molnupiravir, an oral prodrug of N-hydroxycytidine (NHC), previously demonstrated broad in vitro antiviral activity against multiple RNA viruses and has shown a high barrier to the development of resistance. Here, we present the antiviral activity of NHC against recent SARS-CoV-2 variants and the results of resistance selection studies to better understand the potential for viral resistance to NHC. NHC activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants omicron (BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.4, BA.4.6, BA.5, BQ.1.1, XBB.1, and XBB.1.5), alpha (B.1.1.7), beta (B.1.351), gamma (P.1), delta (B.1.617.2), lambda (C.37), and mu (B.1.621) was evaluated in Vero E6 cells using cytopathic effect assays. Resistance selection studies were performed by passaging SARS-CoV-2 (WA1) in the presence of NHC or a 3C-like pr

SUBMITTER: Strizki JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10777856 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature