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Two existing drugs inhibit Coronavirus from infecting human cells: Study

The work, which will need to be replicated in human trials, suggests a potential new target for Covid-19 therapies

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The study found that apilimod and vacuolin-1 are very strong inhibitors for viral infection in the lab

2 min read Last Updated : Aug 18 2020 | 3:15 PM IST

Two existing drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, from infecting human cells in the lab, a study has found.

According to the study, published in the journal PNAS, both drugs, vacuolin-1 and apilimod, originally developed years ago, target a large enzyme called PIKfyve kinase.

Before this study, little was known about this enzyme's role in Covid-19 infection, the researchers said.

The work, which will need to be replicated in human trials, suggests a potential new target for Covid-19 therapies, they said.

"Our findings show that targeting this kinase through a small-molecule antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 may be an effective strategy to lessen the progression or seriousness

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