Giant progress in small molecule antiviral drugs for SARS-CoV-2

doi:10.19803/j.1672-8629.2022.01.01

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To study anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs of protease inhibitors and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors. Methods The mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and clinical trials of two kind of drugs are reviewed. Results Small molecule drugs have the advantages of easy absorption, small molecular volume, ability to penetrate cell membrane, and easy large-scale industrial production, which are the focus of drug research and development. In the small-molecule drugs for SARS-CoV-2, breakthroughs have been made in protease inhibitors (such as Paxlovid) that target the viral protein splicing step and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors (such as molnupiravir). Conclusion It is expected that these drugs can be widely used in early treatment in the future to reduce the rate of severe illness and mortality.

Key words: small molecule drugs, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, protease inhibitor, polymerase inhibitor, clinical trials

CLC Number:

R978.7

ZHAO Zhe, ZHANG Qing, GE Ziruo, ZHANG Wei, CHEN Zhihai. Giant progress in small molecule antiviral drugs for SARS-CoV-2[J]. Chinese Journal of Pharmacovigilance, 2022, 19(1): 1-6.

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