16. COVID 19 Vaccine and Drug Development Flashcards
SARS-CoV-2
name of virus
COVID-19
name of disease
Viral vectors
modified viruses that deliver genetic code for antigen (vectors do not contain disease causing genes)
2 types of viral vectors
1) Replicating
2) Non-replicating
2 types of viral vectors
1) Replicating
2) Non-replicating
How do virus spike proteins work?
they bind to receptors or proteins on cells
and once they are inside the cell, the virus leaks its genetic material and the virus multiplies
Protein vaccine
a protein is extracted from the virus, purified and injected as a vaccine (it mimics the coronavirus to trigger an immune response)
Killed virus
is inactivated using chemicals or heat
Weakened virus
virus has mutations in its genome so it doesn’t express its viral proteins as well
SPIKEVAX VACCINE (MODERNA)
mRNA that encodes the spike protein enclosed in a lipid nannoparticle
Scientific benefits of drug repurposing
- New knowledge gained about role of protein target in a new disease
- New knowledge gained about role of protein target in an old disease
Financial benefits of drug repurposing
- May not have to re-test its safety in phase I trials
- Existing pharmaceutical supply chains could facilitate the manufacturing and distribution of the drug
Chloroquine/ hydroxychloroquine
An anti-malarial drug
- Increases pH of lysosomes and endosomes
- No added benefit beyond standard care
Remdesivir
originally produced to treat Ebola virus infections
- Antiviral agent that needs to be metabolized to become active
- Adenosine mimic (“analog”)
Lopinavir-Ritonavir
used for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS
- Protease inhibitor
Calquence
approved in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Works by suppressing body’s immune response during a cytokine storm
Host Target
- Little risk of mutations leading to resistance
- May be of greater use for future pandemics beyond coronaviruses
- Risk of toxicity
Viral Target
- Greater likelihood of selectivity and low toxicity
- Resistance may develop with monotherapy
- May only be of use for this pandemic or closely related viruses
Paxlovid
was developed from scratch during the current pandemic (a protease inhibitors)
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) for HIV
Molnupiravir
causes lethal mutagenesis of viruses