Drug targets for COVID-19 therapeutics: Ongoing global efforts

Abstract

The current global pandemic COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has already inflicted insurmountable damage both to the human lives and global economy. There is an immediate need for identification of effective drugs to contain the disastrous virus outbreak. Global efforts are already underway at a war footing to identify the best drug combination to address the disease. In this review, an attempt has been made to understand the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, and based on this information potential druggable targets against SARS-CoV-2 are summarized. Also, the strategies for ongoing and future drug discovery against the SARS-CoV-2 virus are outlined. Given the urgency to find a definitive cure, ongoing drug repurposing efforts being carried out by various organizations are also described. The unprecedented crisis requires extraordinary efforts from the scientific community to effectively address the issue and prevent further loss of human lives and health.

Molecular dynamics and in silico mutagenesis on the reversible inhibitor-bound SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease complexes reveal the role of a lateral pocket in enhancing the ligand affinity

“…Furthermore, the rapid adaptive nature of the virus and its ability to mutate [2][3][4][5] present new challenges in developing effective novel antiviral therapy. Thus, understanding the specific drug targets of SARS-CoV-2 6,7 , clarifying its mechanism of virulence 8,9 , searching for a repurposable drug and development of a small molecule drug [10][11][12][13][14] or a vaccine [15][16][17] against SARS-CoV-2 have since been the main focus of scientific research.…”

COVID-19 treatment: Much research and testing, but far, few magic bullets against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

“…However, other drugs, such as favipiravir (Avigan®), a viral RNA polymerase inhibitor, or tilarone (Amixin®), an inducer of interferon, are also gaining attention [ 134 , 135 ]. During the last two months, the activity related to the drug design and development for suitable anti-SARS-Co-V2 agents has been constantly ongoing, but without new significant achievements [ 136 , 137 ], while the biological-structural and medical studies of the virus, disease and its symptoms have progressed [ [138] , [139] , [140] , [141] , [142] ]. Remdesivir production is increasing, however this drug (approved only in USA) and treatment is very expensive, perhaps due to its complicated and ineffective synthesis [ 143 ].…”

The race to treat COVID-19: Potential therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2

“…In the last few months, the race to discover novel treatments for COVID -19 has immensely accelerated, and numerous peptides and small molecules have been recognized as encouraging therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2 [ [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] ]. Recently, the constrained peptides have received much attention in the area of drug development; however, a certain inherent admonition limits its use as a drug [ [46] , [47] , [48] ].…”