Fusion inhibitors that block host-to-host transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Coronaviruses (CoVs) can cause life-threatening diseases. The recently emerging coronavirus-related illness was named coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated “COVID-19”) by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Like its predecessors SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 (S-CoV-2) is a betacoronavirus that is thought to have originated in bats. Originally its spread was animal-to-human, but human-to-human transmission is now widespread. No vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 are available, and these are urgently needed to address the outbreak as well as inevitable ongoing infection. Antivirals that target viral entry into the host cell have been proven effective against a wide range of viruses. In this proposal, we will apply the results of our fundamental research to the development of novel peptide inhibitors of SARS- CoV-2 entry. We have designed lipid-conjugated fusion-inhibitory peptides that efficiently inhibit coronavirus infection in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. We propose to synthesize and evaluate novel lipidated peptides that have enhanced efficacy. These inhibitors will be evaluated for antiviral activity against live SARS-CoV-2 virus. Promising candidates will be tested in transmission experiments in a ferret model. This application will determine whether our approach to entry inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 prevents infection in vivo. 1. To optimize antiviral potency of HRC-lipopeptide fusion inhibitors. 2. To pre-clinically evaluate HRC-lipopeptide fusion inhibitors biodistribution, toxicity and protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection or transmission in vivo.