Lessons Learnt From Broad-Spectrum Coronavirus Antiviral Drug Discovery

Authors

Andrew A Bolinger
Jun Li
Xuping Xie
Hongmin Li
Jia Zhou

Language

English

Publication Date

9-1-2024

Journal

Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery

DOI

10.1080/17460441.2024.2385598

PMID

39078037

PMCID

PMC11390334

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

9-1-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Introduction: Highly pathogenic coronaviruses (CoVs), such as severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV), and the most recent SARS-CoV-2 responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, pose significant threats to human populations over the past two decades. These CoVs have caused a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to severe distress syndromes (ARDS), resulting in high morbidity and mortality.

Areas covered: The accelerated advancements in antiviral drug discovery, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, have shed new light on the imperative to develop treatments effective against a broad spectrum of CoVs. This perspective discusses strategies and lessons learnt in targeting viral non-structural proteins, structural proteins, drug repurposing, and combinational approaches for the development of antivirals against CoVs.

Expert opinion: Drawing lessons from the pandemic, it becomes evident that the absence of efficient broad-spectrum antiviral drugs increases the vulnerability of public health systems to the potential onslaught by highly pathogenic CoVs. The rapid and sustained spread of novel CoVs can have devastating consequences without effective and specifically targeted treatments. Prioritizing the effective development of broad-spectrum antivirals is imperative for bolstering the resilience of public health systems and mitigating the potential impact of future highly pathogenic CoVs.

Keywords

Animals, Humans, Antiviral Agents, Coronavirus Infections, COVID-19, COVID-19 Drug Treatment, Drug Development, Drug Discovery, Drug Repositioning, SARS-CoV-2, Pandemics, Antiviral, acute respiratory distress syndrome, broad-spectrum, coronavirus, emerging virus, highly pathogenic virus, MERS, MERS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome, pandemic, SARS, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, PASC, post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Bolinger, Andrew A; Li, Jun; Xie, Xuping; et al., "Lessons Learnt From Broad-Spectrum Coronavirus Antiviral Drug Discovery" (2024). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 6137.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthgsbs_docs/6137