Dual inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease and host cathepsin L as antivirals
Official title: Development of dual inhibitors targeting the viral main protease and the host cathepsin L as SARS-CoV-2 antivirals
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11411408 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing a two-pronged antiviral treatment that blocks the virus’s main protein and a human enzyme to stop SARS-CoV-2 from replicating.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 4, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $711,773 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI158775-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411408 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection or those at high risk of exposure who could benefit from future antiviral options developed from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Participants in early-stage research may not directly benefit until later clinical development and approvals.
What this research studies
This project aims to create dual inhibitors that target the viral main protease and the host cathepsin L to prevent SARS-CoV-2 replication. Using a fluorescence-based enzymatic assay, the team has identified promising compounds that also show activity against live virus in cell culture. The work focuses on optimizing these compounds to be potent, selective, and suitable for further development as COVID-19 antivirals. The research could lead to new therapeutic options for people affected by COVID-19, especially if the dual-target approach proves effective in reducing viral spread and severity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could yield new antiviral candidates that help treat COVID-19 by inhibiting key viral and host factors involved in viral replication.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that targeting viral proteases can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication, and dual-target strategies offer a novel approach with promising potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jun — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jun
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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.