QCRG Developmental Research Project Awardee

Project: "Development of papain-like protease inhibitors as SARS-CoV-2 antivirals"

Q1. What is your project focused on?

• This development grant focuses on developing papain-like protease inhibitors as SARS-CoV-2 antivirals.

Q2. How does your project align with the Center’s objectives?

• The papain-like protease inhibitors are promising antiviral candidates for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. They can be used alone or in combination with main protease inhibitors or viral polymerase inhibitors for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in high-risk patients. The proposed PLpro inhibitors align with the Center’s objectives of developing oral bioavailable antivirals for coronaviruses.

Q3. What is the most inspiring aspect about your project/research focus?

• We identified a new drug-binding pocket at the active site of PLpro, which allows us to improve enzymatic inhibition and antiviral activity. Our PLpro inhibitors represent the most potent and promising candidates reported so far.

Q4. Do you think collaboration is important for the progression of your research? If so, why are you interested in connecting with members of the QCRG?

• Antiviral drug discovery is multidisciplinary and requires close collaboration among chemists, structural biologists, virologists, and computational biologists. The QCRG center comprises world-class experts in each field, and their opinions will be vital in ensuring the success of this translational grant.  

Q5. What are your thoughts on the importance of building pandemic preparedness?

• The COVID-19 pandemic is a timely call for developing oral bioavailable antivirals. Small-molecule antivirals with broad-spectrum antiviral activity are needed to combat future viral epidemics and pandemics caused by viruses with pandemic potential. The knowledge gained through studying the viral replication mechanism, viral protein structures, and host immune responses will help guide the selection of drug targets and the design of antiviral drugs.