New drug blocks COVID-19, variants in mice

US researchers have developed a novel drug that could not only prevent SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, and its variants, but also treat other respiratory coronaviruses in mice.

New York: US researchers have developed a novel drug that could not only prevent SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, and its variants, but also treat other respiratory coronaviruses in mice. A team led by University of Pennsylvania developed the drug diABZI, which activated the body's innate immune response and effectively prevented severe COVID-19 symptoms, including those from the South African variant (B1351) and also curbed their spread in mice, the scientists said. The mice treated with diABZI showed much less weight loss than the control mice, had significantly-reduced viral loads in their lungs and nostrils, and increased cytokine production.