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Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors
Published on: April 9, 2014
The screening and evaluation of potential clinically significant HIV drug combinations against the SARS-CoV-2 virus
Draško Tomić1, Davor Davidović1, Attila Marcel Szasz2
1Center for Informatics and Computing, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
Abstract:
Spike glycoprotein is essential for the reproduction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and its inhibition using already approved antiviral drugs may open new avenues for treatment of patients with the COVID-19 disease. Because of that we analyzed the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein with FDA-approved antiviral drugs and their double and triple combinations. We used the VINI in silico model of cancer to perform this virtual drug screening, showing HIV drugs to be the most effective. Besides, the combination of cobicistat-abacavir-rilpivirine HIV drugs demonstrated the highest in silico efficacy of inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Therefore, a clinical trial of cobicistat-abacavir-rilpivirine on a limited number of COVID-19 patients in moderately severe and severe condition is warranted.

