A comparative analysis of remdesivir and other repurposed antivirals against SARS-CoV-2

Alexander Simonis; Sebastian J Theobald; Gerd Fätkenheuer; Jan Rybniker; Jakob J Malin

doi:10.15252/emmm.202013105

A comparative analysis of remdesivir and other repurposed antivirals against SARS-CoV-2

EMBO Mol Med. 2021 Jan 11;13(1):e13105. doi: 10.15252/emmm.202013105. Epub 2020 Nov 3.

Authors

Alexander Simonis^{1

2}, Sebastian J Theobald^{1

2}, Gerd Fätkenheuer¹, Jan Rybniker^{1

2

3}, Jakob J Malin^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
² Faculty of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
³ German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Abstract

The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic stresses the need for effective antiviral drugs that can quickly be applied in order to reduce morbidity, mortality, and ideally viral transmission. By repurposing of broadly active antiviral drugs and compounds that are known to inhibit viral replication of related viruses, several advances could be made in the development of treatment strategies against COVID-19. The nucleoside analog remdesivir, which is known for its potent in vitro activity against Ebolavirus and other RNA viruses, was recently shown to reduce the time to recovery in patients with severe COVID-19. It is to date the only approved antiviral for treating COVID-19. Here, we provide a mechanism and evidence-based comparative review of remdesivir and other repurposed drugs with proven in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antivirals; remdesivir.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Review

MeSH terms

Adenosine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives*
Adenosine Monophosphate / pharmacology
Adenosine Monophosphate / therapeutic use
Alanine / analogs & derivatives*
Alanine / pharmacology
Alanine / therapeutic use
Amides / pharmacology
Amides / therapeutic use
Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
Benzamidines
COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
Drug Repositioning* / methods
Esters / pharmacology
Esters / therapeutic use
Guanidines / pharmacology
Guanidines / therapeutic use
Guanine / pharmacology
Guanine / therapeutic use
Humans
Indoles / pharmacology
Indoles / therapeutic use
Lopinavir / pharmacology
Lopinavir / therapeutic use
Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology
Protease Inhibitors / therapeutic use
Pyrazines / pharmacology
Pyrazines / therapeutic use
Ribavirin / pharmacology
Ribavirin / therapeutic use
Ritonavir / pharmacology
Ritonavir / therapeutic use
SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects*
SARS-CoV-2 / physiology
Virus Internalization / drug effects
Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

Amides
Antiviral Agents
Benzamidines
Esters
Guanidines
Indoles
Protease Inhibitors
Pyrazines
camostat
Lopinavir
penciclovir
remdesivir
Adenosine Monophosphate
Ribavirin
Guanine
umifenovir
favipiravir
Ritonavir
Alanine
nafamostat