Development of inhaled MPro inhibitors for the treatment of respiratory viral infections.

Today’s figures reveal that this virus has infected in every corner of the globe with over 6.5 million reported deaths. Furthermore, this outbreak highlighted how poorly prepared healthcare systems were across the globe and how few effective treatments were available.

Following the 2003 SARS epidemic, considerable research was conducted to develop a deeper understanding of the processes that lead to viral entry and infection of respiratory host cells. Analysis of the viral genome led to the identification of a cysteine protease, known as 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro or commonly referred to as Main Protease, MPro). MPro is highly conserved among coronaviruses and MPro inhibition blocks viral replication, consequently, lowering viral load and reducing disease severity.