Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 15, 2025
Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2
Published on: November 5, 2021
Revisiting potential druggable targets against SARS-CoV-2 and repurposing therapeutics under preclinical study and
Abdullah Al Mamun Sohag1, Md Abdul Hannan1,2,3, Sadaqur Rahman4
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is one of the most contagious diseases in human history that has already affected millions of lives worldwide. To date, no vaccines or effective therapeutics have been discovered yet that may successfully treat COVID-19 patients or contain the transmission of the virus. Scientific communities across the globe responded rapidly and have been working relentlessly to develop drugs and vaccines, which may require considerable time. In this uncertainty, repurposing the existing antiviral drugs could be the best strategy to speed up the discovery of effective therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, drug repurposing may leave some vital information on druggable targets that could be capitalized in target-based drug discovery. Information on possible drug targets and the progress on therapeutic and vaccine development also needs to be updated. In this review, we revisited the druggable targets that may hold promise in the development of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent. Progresses on the development of potential therapeutics and vaccines that are under the preclinical studies and clinical trials have been highlighted. We anticipate that this review will provide valuable information that would help to accelerate the development of therapeutics and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Insights
Drug repurposing offers a rapid strategy for developing therapeutics against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This review highlights promising druggable targets and updates on vaccine and drug development for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a global pandemic with no approved treatments or vaccines.
- The urgent need for effective interventions necessitates rapid development strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review druggable targets for anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.
- To update on the progress of therapeutic and vaccine development for COVID-19.
- To accelerate the discovery of treatments and vaccines through drug repurposing and target identification.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing antiviral drugs and their potential for repurposing against SARS-CoV-2.
- Analysis of scientific literature on identified druggable targets for COVID-19.
- Compilation of data on preclinical and clinical studies for COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines.
Main Results:
- Drug repurposing is identified as a key strategy to expedite the discovery of effective therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.
- Potential druggable targets for anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents are revisited.
- Progress in the development of therapeutics and vaccines currently in preclinical and clinical trials is highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Repurposing existing drugs can significantly speed up the development of COVID-19 treatments.
- Understanding druggable targets is crucial for both repurposed and novel drug discovery.
- This review provides valuable insights to accelerate the development of much-needed therapeutics and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.
