Identification of Antiviral Drug Candidates against SARS-CoV-2 from FDA-Approved Drugs

• Published in: Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy Vol. 64; no. 7
• Main Authors: Jeon, Sangeun, Ko, Meehyun, Lee, Jihye, Choi, Inhee, Byun, Soo Young, Park, Soonju, Shum, David, Kim, Seungtaek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Microbiology 23.06.2020
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Antiviral Agents; Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Betacoronavirus; Betacoronavirus - drug effects; Cell Line; Chlorocebus aethiops; Coronavirus Infections; Coronavirus Infections - drug therapy; COVID-19; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical - methods; Drug Repositioning; Editor's Pick; Humans; Niclosamide; Niclosamide - pharmacology; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia, Viral - drug therapy; Pregnenediones; Pregnenediones - pharmacology; SARS-CoV-2; Vero Cells; COVID-19; FDA-approved drug; SARS-CoV-2
• ISSN: 0066-4804; 1098-6596; 1098-6596
• DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00819-20

Drug repositioning is the only feasible option to immediately address the COVID-19 global challenge. We screened a panel of 48 FDA-approved drugs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which were preselected by an assay of SARS-CoV. We identified 24 potential antiviral drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Some drug candidates showed very low 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC 50 s), and in particular, two FDA-approved drugs—niclosamide and ciclesonide—were notable in some respects. Drug repositioning is the only feasible option to immediately address the COVID-19 global challenge. We screened a panel of 48 FDA-approved drugs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which were preselected by an assay of SARS-CoV. We identified 24 potential antiviral drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Some drug candidates showed very low 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC 50 s), and in particular, two FDA-approved drugs—niclosamide and ciclesonide—were notable in some respects.