biostudies-literatureHahn FDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftWilhelm Sander-StiftungJohannes und Frieda Marohn-StiftungE1394https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7762174biostudies-literatureUnknown12(12)The ongoing pandemic spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demands skillful strategies for novel drug development, drug repurposing and cotreatments, in particular focusing on existing candidates of host-directed antivirals (HDAs). The developmental drug IMU-838, currently being investigated in a phase 2b trial in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, represents an inhibitor of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) with a recently proven antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo. Here, we established an analysis system for assessing the antiviral potency of IMU-838 and DHODH-directed back-up drugs in cultured cell-based infection models. By the use of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunofluorescence, Western blot, in-cell ELISA, viral yield reductiVirusesIMU-838, a Developmental DHODH Inhibitor in Phase II for Autoimmune Disease, Shows Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Efficacy In Vitro.PMC7762174MA/SBT 2018.121.1Alz/Iko-Hahn/2019MA 1289/7-3Hahn FMuehler AUberla KPeelen EDobler GVitt DHurst BHage SPeter ASJulander JKohlhof HJack HMPtak RGroppel MFuchs JRuzsics ZMarschall MWangen CfalseIMU-838, a Developmental DHODH Inhibitor in Phase II for Autoimmune Disease, Shows Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Efficacy In Vitro.The ongoing pandemic spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demands skillful strategies for novel drug development, drug repurposing and cotreatments, in particular focusing on existing candidates of host-directed antivirals (HDAs). The developmental drug IMU-838, currently being investigated in a phase 2b trial in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, represents an inhibitor of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) with a recently proven antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo. Here, we established an analysis system for assessing the antiviral potency of IMU-838 and DHODH-directed back-up drugs in cultured cell-based infection models. By the use of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunofluorescence, Western blot, in-cell ELISA, viral yield reducti2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Dec2026-05-02T16:58:09.232Z2021-02-20T17:12:12ZS-EPMC77621743329145510.3390/v12121394