Identification of Antiviral Drug Candidates against SARS-CoV-2 from FDA-Approved Drugs

Drug repositioning is the only feasible option to immediately address the COVID-19 global challenge. We screened a panel of 48 FDA-approved drugs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which were preselected by an assay of SARS-CoV. We identified 24 potential antiviral drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Some drug candidates showed very low 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC 50 s), and in particular, two FDA-approved drugs—niclosamide and ciclesonide—were notable in some respects.

• NR
  National Research Foundation
• NR
  National Research Foundation of Korea

  Awards: NRF-2017M3A9G6068245, 2017M3A9G6068245, NRF-2020M3E9A1041756
• MO
  Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea