by Abdelnabi R, Foo CS, Jochmans D, Vangeel L, De Jonghe S, Augustijns P, Mols R, Weynand B, Wattanakul T, Hoglund RM, Tarning J, Mowbray CE, Sjö P, Escudié F, Scandale I, Chatelain E, Neyts J. Nature Communications 2022;13:719. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-28354-0
Summary: There is an urgent need for potent and selective antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. Pfizer developed PF-07321332 (PF-332), a potent inhibitor of the viral main protease (Mpro, 3CLpro) that can be dosed orally and is in clinical development. The authors report that PF-332 demonstrated in vitro antiviral activity against the four main SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern; protected Syrian hamsters against the beta and delta variants; and prevented transmission of the delta variant to untreated hamsters. The results support the continued development of this drug.