SARS-CoV-2 Antiviral Therapy

The development of effective antiviral therapy for COVID-19 is critical for those awaiting vaccination, as well as for those who do not respond robustly to vaccination. This review summarizes 1 year of progress in the race to develop antiviral therapies for COVID-19, including research spanning preclinical and clinical drug development efforts, with an emphasis on antiviral compounds that are in clinical development or that are high priorities for clinical development. The review is divided into sections on compounds that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 enzymes, including its polymerase and proteases; compounds that inhibit virus entry, including monoclonal antibodies; interferons; and repurposed drugs that inhibit host processes required for SARS-CoV-2 replication. The review concludes with a summary of the lessons to be learned from SARS-CoV-2 drug development efforts and the challenges to continued progress.

Automated summary

This review summarizes a year of progress in developing antiviral therapies for COVID-19, covering efforts in preclinical and clinical drug development, with a focus on compounds inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 enzymes, virus entry, interferons, and repurposed drugs inhibiting host processes for viral replication. Additionally, it concludes with insights on lessons learned and challenges ahead in SARS-CoV-2 drug development.