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COVID-19

Identification of Potential SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors Among FDA-Approved Drugs

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Investigations into COVID-19 have revealed a new study on the identification of potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors among well-tolerated drugs using drug repurposing and in vitro approaches. Researchers from Istanbul University, in collaboration with other institutions, have made significant breakthroughs in the discovery of effective inhibitors for the treatment of COVID-19. The study highlights the potential of several FDA-approved drugs, including lumacaftor, candesartan, and nelfinavir, as effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study identified 10 FDA-approved drugs, including amcinonide, eltrombopag, lumacaftor, candesartan, and nelfinavir, as effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.
  • In vitro enzymatic assays confirmed that these drugs effectively inhibited the 3C-like protease (3CLpro) enzyme, a key target for antiviral drug discovery.
  • The study found that lumacaftor showed IC50 values of 964 nM in Caco-2 cells and 458 nM in Calu-3 cells, while candesartan had IC50 values of 714 nM and 1.05 M, respectively.
  • Dual combination experiments revealed that amcinonide, pimozide, lumacaftor, and eltrombopag acted as potent inhibitors at nanomolar concentrations when combined with candesartan.
  • The study suggests that these FDA-approved drugs have the potential to be repurposed as antiviral treatments for COVID-19.

Statistics:

  • 10 FDA-approved drugs were identified as effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.
  • 5 drugs, including lumacaftor, candesartan, and nelfinavir, showed potency as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication at low micromolar concentrations.
  • 5 drugs, including amcinonide and pimozide, showed potency as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication at nanomolar concentrations when combined with candesartan.
  • The IC50 values for lumacaftor in Caco-2 cells and Calu-3 cells were 964 nM and 458 nM, respectively.
  • The IC50 values for candesartan in Caco-2 cells and Calu-3 cells were 714 nM and 1.05 M, respectively.

Sources:

  • (Scientific Reports, 2025, 15(1):1-22) - http://www.nature.com/srep/index.html
  • (Istanbul University) - no date
  • (Data on COVID-19 Described by Researchers at Istanbul University (Identification of potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors among well-tolerated drugs using drug repurposing and in vitro approaches). Drug Week. May 16, 2025; p 70) - NewsRx LLC

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