COVID-19 Drug Discovery Using Intensive Approaches

Since the infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in China during December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread on a global scale, causing the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a warning. While novel vaccines and drugs that target SARS-CoV-2 are under development, this review provides information on therapeutics which are under clinical trials or are proposed to antagonize SARS-CoV-2. Based on the information gained from the responses to other RNA coronaviruses, including the strains that cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronaviruses and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), drug repurposing might be a viable strategy. Since several antiviral therapies can inhibit viral replication cycles or relieve symptoms, mechanisms unique to RNA viruses will be important for the clinical development of antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. Given that several currently marketed drugs may be efficient therapeutic agents for severe COVID-19 cases, they may be beneficial for future viral pandemics and other infections caused by RNA viruses when standard treatments are unavailable.

Although specific treatments, including vaccines, have not yet been developed for COVID-19, effective prevention methods are now recommended on a global scale. Accordingly, to overcome this pandemic, developing specific inhibitors for viral entry and replication, as well as drug repositioning, will be necessary. As above, several clinical trials and drug repositioning studies are currently ongoing. Eventually, new studies will allow us to better control this pandemic and identify new treatments. Computational calculation and artificial intelligence would help the rapid development of a therapeutic method. On the other hand, accurate crystal structure determination and much drug-response data are necessary for its success. The efficient sharing of information will be important for overcoming this pandemic in the era of globalization.

Drug Designing: Open Access Journal is using Editorial Tracking System to maintain quality and transparency to the author in the peer-review process. Review processing will be performed by the editorial board members of the Journal Drug Designing: Open Access or by Reviewers (outside experts in the field). Two independent reviewer’s approval (Minimum reviewer’s approval) followed by editor approval is obligatory for acceptance of any manuscript excluding an editorial. Journal is now accepting manuscripts for its upcoming issue Volume 9 Issue 4 and also for special issue on Role of Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in treatment of COVID 19. Special Issue aims to publish manuscripts explaining drug synthesis, trails, production, action on viral molecules, chemical formulation, treatment reports etc. Authors may submit original research article, review article, case studies, short commentary, systemic reviews, editorials etc.

Mail us at drugdesign@eclinicalsci.org if interested and for queries.

Editorial tracking submission: https://www.longdom.org/submissions/drug-designing-open-access.html

Nancy Ella
Editor Board
Drug Designing: Open Access
drugdesign@eclinicalsci.org