Small-molecule antiviral drug targets ACE2 receptor to block coronaviruses from entering cells

The ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2, particularly the rapid emergence of the omicron variant and its sublineages, has weakened the effectiveness of existing vaccines and antiviral drugs, underscoring the potential risk of future coronavirus pandemics.

In response, a joint research team from the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) and the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Tsinghua University has developed MB-32, a novel broad-spectrum small-molecule antiviral drug candidate. ...