by Assmus F, Driouich J-S, Abdelnabi R, Vangeel L, Touret F, Adehin A, Chotsiri P, Cochin M, Foo CS, Jochmans D, Kim S, Luciani L, Moureau G, Park S, Pétit P-R, Shum D, Wattanakul T, Weynand B, Fraisse L, Ioset J-R, Mowbray CE, Owen A, Hoglund RM, Tarning J, Lamballerie Xd, Nougairède A, Neyts J, Sjö P, Escudié F, Scandale I, Chatelain E. Microorganisms 2022; 10(8):1639. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10081639
Summary: In the absence of drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19, drug repurposing can be a valuable strategy. However, drug repurposing for COVID-19 has delivered relatively few successes to date. The authors note that one reason for this is the lack of clear translational processes based on adequate preclinical profiling before clinical evaluation, and the limitations of existing models. They argue that we need a systematic approach to advance urgent antiviral drug development in the context of a pandemic. The authors share the results of a multidisciplinary collaboration to implement a methodology to test repurposed and experimental drugs to generate robust preclinical evidence to support further clinical development. This translational drug development platform comprises in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models of SARS-CoV-2, along with pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation approaches to evaluate exposure levels in plasma and target organs.
