Dr. Duc Duy Vo and his team at Uppsala University are focused on identifying non-covalent small-molecule inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). Given the significant threat posed by SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, the team aims to develop antiviral drugs that can complement vaccination efforts.
Supported by ERINHA, the team leveraged high-resolution crystal structures and virtual screening to identify potential Mpro inhibitors. These efforts led to the discovery of a novel broad-spectrum inhibitor scaffold. ISIDORe’s support enabled the evaluation of 60 compounds against SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS in Calu-3 cells and human lung epithelial cells.
The results identified several potent broad-spectrum inhibitors, which are now being considered for in vivo studies and clinical development. This research, supported by ISIDORe, is crucial for developing broad-spectrum antivirals for future pandemics.