ALG-097111, a potent and selective SARS-CoV-2 3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease inhibitor exhibits in vivo efficacy in a Syrian Hamster model

There is an urgent need for antivirals targeting the SARS-CoV-2 virus to fight the current COVID-19 pandemic. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro) represents a promising target for antiviral therapy. The lack of selectivity for some of the reported 3CLpro inhibitors, specifically versus cathepsin L, raises potential safety and efficacy concerns. ALG-097111 potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro (IC50 = 7 mu M) without affecting the activity of human cathepsin L (IC50 > 10 mu M). When ALG-097111 was dosed in hamsters challenged with SARS-CoV-2, a robust and significant 3.5 log(10) (RNA copies/mg) reduction of the viral RNA copies and 3.7 log(10) (TCID50/mg) reduction in the infectious virus titers in the lungs was observed. These results provide the first in vivo validation for the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro as a promising therapeutic target for selective small molecule inhibitors. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

There is an urgent need for antivirals targeting SARS-CoV-2 virus. SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro) is a promising target for antiviral therapy, but selectivity issues of inhibitors need to be addressed. ALG-097111 demonstrated potent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro in vivo, providing evidence for its potential as a therapeutic target.