21 existing drugs identified that block replication of Coronavirus in lab tests

Scientists across the world have found 21 existing drugs that stop the replication of the novel Coronavirus which causes COVID-19.

Scientists across the world have found 21 existing drugs that stop the replication of the novel Coronavirus which causes COVID-19 in lab studies. The researchers, including those from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in the US, analysed one of the world’s largest collections of known drugs for their ability to stop the replication of the Coronavirus. They found 100 molecules with confirmed antiviral activity in lab tests.

As per the study, published in the journal Nature, 21 of these drugs are effective in blocking the reproduction of the virus – at concentrations that are safe to achieve in the patients. Four of these compounds could work in combination with remedesivir – the current standard-of-care treatment of COVID-19.

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Sumit Chanda, director of the Immunity and Pathogenesis Program at Sanford Burnham Prebys and senior author of the study said, “Remdesivir has proven successful at shortening the recovery time for patients in the hospital, but the drug doesn’t work for everyone who receives it. That’s not good enough.”

“The urgency remains to find affordable, effective, and readily available drugs that can complement the use of remdesivir, as well as drugs that could be given prophylactically or at the first sign of infection on an outpatient basis,” Chanda added.