New Prophylactic/Therapy to Treat Pandemic Variants?

In order to give early access to findings, Nature has just published an unedited version of the manuscript describing the prophylactic and treatment benefit of N-0358 (small molecule compound) for COVID virus and its variants. The authors state that although widespread vaccination against COVID has occurred, emerging variants of concern (VOCs) have reduced the vaccine efficacy.

In this study, researchers have identified and characterized a small-molecule compound, N-0385. This small molecule compound shows “low nanomolar potency” and a “selectivity index of >10⁶ at inhibiting” COVID infection in both lung cells from humans and in colonoids (an artificially grown mass of cells or tissue that resembles an organ derived from the colon) that were derived from donors.

In Calu-3 cells, N-0385 prevents entry of COVID VOCs, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1 and B.1.617.2. Researchers found that N-0385 administration provides a high level of both prophylactic and therapeutic benefit after multiple doses or even after a single administration. This efficacy provides evidence that “TTSP-mediated proteolytic maturation of spike” is critical for COVID infection in vivo. Researchers have demonstrated that N-0385 is a novel, effective, and early treatment option against COVID-19; and is also important in preventing or combatting emerging COVID VOCs.

Disclaimer from Nature, “Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.”

Access to the full unedited manuscript here

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