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PROTACs in Antivirals: Current Advancements and Future Perspectives

Jiacheng Jin1, Mengxiang Quan1, Xueyan Cao1

  • 1Affiliated Yongkang First People's Hospital and School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, China.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology offers a novel approach to antiviral therapy by degrading viral proteins. This method shows promise against viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and HBV, addressing drug resistance and viral mutations.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology revolutionizes cancer therapy by degrading previously undruggable targets.
  • PROTACs are being explored for antiviral applications due to their unique mechanism of action.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated research into PROTACs for infectious diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the application progress of PROTAC technology in antiviral therapy.
  • To highlight successful PROTAC applications against various viral pathogens.
  • To discuss challenges and future directions for antiviral PROTAC development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on PROTAC technology in antiviral research.
  • Analysis of PROTAC efficacy against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), influenza virus, and SARS-CoV-2.
  • Exploration of novel strategies, including dual-target degradation.

Main Results:

  • PROTACs demonstrate potential in degrading viral proteins and overcoming drug resistance.
  • Successful applications have been noted against HBV, HCV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2.
  • Challenges include targeting host factors and managing viral mutations.

Conclusions:

  • PROTAC technology presents a promising avenue for developing novel antiviral therapeutics.
  • A dual-target degradation strategy at the host-pathogen interface is proposed.
  • Further research is needed to support the clinical translation of antiviral PROTACs.
Keywords:
PROTACantiviral therapydrug resistancehost–pathogen interactiontargeted protein degradation

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