AG7088 for COVID-19

AG7088 may be beneficial for COVID-19 according to the studies below. COVID-19 involves the interplay of 500+ viral and host proteins and factors providing many therapeutic targets. Scientists have proposed 11,000+ potential treatments. c19early.org analyzes 220+ treatments. We have not reviewed AG7088 in detail.
Świderek et al., The pivotal role of β‐lactone stereochemistry in the development of SARSCoV ‐2 M pro inhibitors, Protein Science, doi:10.1002/pro.70680
Abstract From the arrival of the SARS‐CoV‐2 coronavirus in 2019 and its associated COVID‐19 pandemic, worldwide efforts have been focused on developing a drug to treat patients. The SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease (Mpro) is one of the main targets for drug design due to its key role in the virus replication and its distinguished ability to cleave peptides after a glutamine residue. Inspired by the knowledge of the inhibition mechanism of 20S Proteasome, this work focuses on exploring the inhibition process of SARS‐CoV‐2 M pro with a β‐lactone, as well as the impact of the stereochemistry of this compound on the stability of the enzyme:inhibitor binding formation complex. Based on molecular dynamics simulations with classical and hybrid QM/MM potentials, the free energy landscape of the mechanism of the formation of the covalent complex has been computed. The results show how one of the stereoisomers of the β‐lactone derivative forms a stable reactant non‐covalent complex in the active site of M pro . Analysis of the kinetics and thermodynamics of the inhibition process suggests that this non‐peptidyl compound can be considered a lead compound for future developments of efficient therapeutic compounds to treat patients with COVID‐19.
Al Adem et al., 3-chymotrypsin-like protease in SARS-CoV-2, Bioscience Reports, doi:10.1042/BSR20231395
Abstract Coronaviruses constitute a significant threat to the human population. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, SARS-CoV-2, is a highly pathogenic human coronavirus that has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It has led to a global viral outbreak with an exceptional spread and a high death toll, highlighting the need for effective antiviral strategies. 3-Chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), the main protease in SARS-CoV-2, plays an indispensable role in the SARS-CoV-2 viral life cycle by cleaving the viral polyprotein to produce 11 individual non-structural proteins necessary for viral replication. 3CLpro is one of two proteases that function to produce new viral particles. It is a highly conserved cysteine protease with identical structural folds in all known human coronaviruses. Inhibitors binding with high affinity to 3CLpro will prevent the cleavage of viral polyproteins, thus impeding viral replication. Multiple strategies have been implemented to screen for inhibitors against 3CLpro, including peptide-like and small molecule inhibitors that covalently and non-covalently bind the active site, respectively. In addition, allosteric sites of 3CLpro have been identified to screen for small molecules that could make non-competitive inhibitors of 3CLpro. In essence, this review serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the structural intricacies and functional dynamics of 3CLpro, emphasizing key findings that elucidate its role as the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. Notably, the review is a critical resource in recognizing the advancements in identifying and developing 3CLpro inhibitors as effective antiviral strategies against COVID-19, some of which are already approved for clinical use in COVID-19 patients.