Medicinal Chemistry Approaches for Combatting SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Therapeutics
et al., Fabad Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, doi:10.55262/fabadeczacilik.1757782, Mar 2026
Review of medicinal chemistry approaches for combating SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 therapeutics.
Kushwaha et al., 31 Mar 2026, peer-reviewed, 3 authors.
Contact: neelottama@gmail.com.
Abstract: ## Medicinal Chemistry Approaches for Combatting SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Therapeutics
Neelottama KUSHWAHA *° , Swatantra K.S. KUSHWAHA ** , Anmol KUMAR ***
Medicinal Chemistry Approaches for Combating SARSCoV-2 and COVID-19 Therapeutics
SUMMARY
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for innovative and adaptable solutions in medicinal chemistry to address the growing global health challenges. New strategies, including structure-based drug design, AI-driven drug discovery, and drug repurposing, have shown promising advancements in accelerating the creation of treatments. Significant strides have been made in focusing on crucial viral proteins, particularly the main protease (Mpro) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which have created new opportunities for small-molecule inhibitors. Additionally, advancements in peptide-based therapies, monoclonal antibodies, and nanotechnology-enhanced drug delivery systems have expanded the tools available against SARS-CoV-2. However, significant challenges persist, such as addressing viral mutations, improving access to medications, and ensuring rapid scalability of treatments. Ongoing investment in interdisciplinary collaborations, enhanced screening technologies, and real-time genetic monitoring will be essential for refining these strategies. By adopting a proactive approach, medicinal chemistry can respond to the current pandemic and lay the groundwork for effectively tackling future viral threats with greater precision and efficiency.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, antiviral agents, viral protein, drug repurposing, ligand-based drug design, structure-based drug design.
Recieved: 4.08.2025
Revised:
29.01.2026
Accepted: 14.02.2026
* ORCID: 0000-0001-9653-1313, Krishna Institute of Pharmacy & Sciences, Kanpur-208017, India
** ORCID: 0000-0002-1004-6323, Krishna Institute of Pharmacy & Sciences, Kanpur-208017, India
*** ORCID: 0009-0009-1566-4874, Krishna Institute of Pharmacy & Sciences, Kanpur-208017, India
° Corresponding Author; Prof. Dr. Neelottama Kushwaha E-mail: neelottama@gmail.com
SARS-CoV-2 ve COVID-19 Tedavilerinde Tıbbi Kimya Yaklaşımları
ÖZ
COVID-19 pandemisi, artan küresel sağlık sorunlarıyla mücadele etmek için tıbbi kimyada yenilikçi ve uyarlanabilir çözümlere olan acil ilgiyi artırdı. Yapıya dayalı ilaç tasarımı, yapay zekâ destekli ilaç keşfi ve ilaçların yeniden kullanımı gibi yeni stratejiler, tedavilerin geliştirilmesini hızlandırma potansiyelini ortaya koydu. Proteaz (Mpro) ve RNA bağımlı RNA polimeraz (RdRp) gibi temel viral proteinleri hedeflemedeki ilerleme, küçük moleküllü inhibitörler için yeni fırsatlar yarattı. Ayrıca, peptit bazlı tedaviler, monoklonal antikorlar ve nanoteknoloji destekli ilaç salım sistemlerindeki gelişmeler, SARS-CoV-2'ye karşı mevcut araçları genişletti. Bununla birlikte, viral mutasyonların ele alınması, ilaçlara erişimin iyileştirilmesi ve tedavilerin hızlı ölçeklenebilirliğinin sağlanması gibi önemli zorluklar devam etmektedir. Disiplinlerarası iş birliklerine, gelişmiş tarama teknolojilerine ve gerçek zamanlı genetik izlemeye devam eden yatırımlar, bu stratejilerin geliştirilmesi için hayati önem taşıyacaktır. Tıbbi kimya, proaktif bir yaklaşım benimseyerek mevcut pandemiye yanıt verebilir ve gelecekteki viral tehditlerle daha fazla hassasiyet ve verimlilikle etkili bir ..
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