A comparative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antivirals in human airway models characterizes 3CL^pro inhibitor PF-00835231 as a potential new treatment for COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a dire need for novel effective antivirals to treat COVID-19, as the only approved direct-acting antiviral to date is remdesivir, targeting the viral polymerase complex. A potential alternate target in the viral life cycle is the main SARS-CoV-2 protease 3CL^pro (M^pro). The drug candidate PF-00835231 is the active compound of the first anti-3CL^pro regimen in clinical trials. Here, we perform a comparative analysis of PF-00835231, the pre-clinical 3CL^pro inhibitor GC-376, and the polymerase inhibitor remdesivir, in alveolar basal epithelial cells modified to express ACE2 (A549^+ACE2 cells). We find PF-0083

SUBMITTER: de Vries M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7457613 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature