SARS-CoV-2, a newly identified coronavirus, causes the coronavirus
disease of 2019 usually termed COVID-19 and is considered a pandemic and spreads
by zoonotic transmission. The human coronavirus SARS CoV2 is similar to SARS
CoV and MERS CoV both belonging to the β-coronavirus group but the mild
differences between them influence the greater pathogenicity in SARS-CoV-2. The
virus produces 4 clinically important proteins that are responsible for host-cell receptor
attachment, suppression of host gene expression, and replication leading to multiple
infections. It is much important to get insights into the essence of the virus and the
virus-induced disease. Since the viruses have the ability to mutate quickly, the
discovery of drugs against the virus is challenging. However, many scientists and
researchers across the world are working hopefully to discover drugs or vaccines to
slow down or stop the replication process of the virus. The repurposing of existing
drugs has gained importance as it reduces time and cost-effectiveness during the drugdiscovery
process and development. In this chapter, we have highlighted the on-going
researches on drugs against SARS-CoV-2 which are under various phases of a clinical
trial. These include various FDA-approved (Food and Drug Administration) inhibitors
such as protease inhibitors, polymerase inhibitors, antimalarial drugs, rheumatoid
drugs, and lipid- lowering statins.
Keywords: Antimalarial drugs, Anti-infective agents, Coronavirus, COVID-19,
Polymerase inhibitors, Protease inhibitors, Repurposing of drugs, SARS-CoV-2.
