COVID-19 drug discovery and treatment options

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to significant global health and economic impacts.
• Older individuals with comorbidities are at higher risk for severe COVID-19, and long COVID affects multiple systems.
• SARS-CoV-2's global spread and potential for new variants necessitate continuous development of effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review major drug discovery approaches for COVID-19 therapeutics.
• To summarize preclinical antiviral evaluation models and therapeutic options.
• To discuss key therapeutics currently in clinical use and future preparedness.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of drug discovery strategies for COVID-19.
• Analysis of preclinical models for antiviral drug evaluation.
• Compilation of data on virus-targeting and host-targeting therapies.
• Summary of currently approved and investigational COVID-19 treatments.

Main Results:

• Various drug discovery approaches are being explored, including targeting viral components and host factors.
• Preclinical models are essential for evaluating the efficacy of potential COVID-19 therapeutics.
• Several virus-targeting and host-targeting therapies are in clinical use or development.
• Broad-spectrum antivirals and immune modulators are key for future pandemic preparedness.

Conclusions:

• Safe, effective, and accessible COVID-19 therapeutics are urgently needed.
• A combination of vaccines and diverse therapeutic strategies is essential for managing the current pandemic and future coronavirus threats.
• Development of broad-spectrum antivirals and precise immune response modulators is critical for long-term preparedness.