Broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor for antiviral therapy
Official title: Development of ALG-097558 as a Broad-Spectrum SARS Cov2 3CLpro Inhibitor
Funded at Hackensack University Medical Center · NIH-11617047 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing a new small-molecule drug that blocks a key SARS-CoV-2 enzyme, with potential to treat COVID-19 across multiple virus variants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hackensack University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hackensack, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $619,753 |
| NIH project number | 4U19AI171401-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617047 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with relevance to coronavirus infection research or future clinical trial participation opportunities related to antiviral therapies.
✕Less likely to help
This project is preclinical and does not involve direct patient participation at this stage; actual patient benefits would depend on later clinical development.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating a covalent inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro (Mpro) enzyme, which is essential for viral replication. The team has built biochemical and cell-based tests and has access to a hamster infection model to study how well the drug works and how safe it is. The work includes optimizing the compound's potency and selectivity, then confirming antiviral activity in human cell models that express the ACE2 receptor. The goal is a broad-spectrum inhibitor that could be effective against SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses, with a focus on progressing toward clinical testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new antiviral that treats COVID-19 and potentially other coronavirus infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous antiviral protease inhibitors have shown success in other diseases; this project builds on established drug-design strategies and early positive cellular results.
Where this research is happening
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Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Symons, Julian a — Hackensack University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Symons, Julian a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.