Title:Repositioning of Drugs to Counter COVID-19 Pandemic - An Insight
Volume: 22
Issue: 2
Author(s): Sai M. Akilesh, Rajesh J., Dhanabal Palanisamy and Ashish Wadhwani*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty - 643001, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu,India
Keywords:
Coronavirus, COVID-19, drug repurposing, infectious diseases, SARS-CoV-2, viruses.
Abstract: COVID-19 is a pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is a severe
acute respiratory syndrome. The devastating impact of this novel coronavirus outbreak has necessitated
the need for rapid and effective antiviral therapies against SARS-CoV-2 to control the spread of
the disease and importantly, alleviate the severe life-threatening symptoms and disorders. Drug repurposing
strategy offers an attractive, immediate and realistic approach to tackle this growing pandemic
of COVID-19. Due to the similarities with the SARS-CoV-1 virus and phylogenetic relation to the
MERS-CoV virus, accelerated screening of approved drugs and the development of repositioning
strategies have proved to be critical for the survival of many COVID-19 patients. Numerous scientific
investigations from the initial years of the coronavirus outbreak along with upcoming advances of immunotherapy
and vaccines, may prove to be beneficial. Currently, several repurposing strategies are
under different phases of clinical trials and provide a definitive framework for the development of future
therapies for the effective treatment of COVID-19. This review article summarizes the latest developments
and trends in drug repurposing strategy for COVID-19 treatment.