16. COVID 19 Vaccine and Drug Development

Question 1

SARS-CoV-2

Answer 1

name of virus

Question 2

COVID-19

Answer 2

name of disease

Question 3

Viral vectors

Answer 3

modified viruses that deliver genetic code for antigen (vectors do not contain disease causing genes)

Question 4

2 types of viral vectors

Answer 4

1) Replicating
2) Non-replicating

Question 5

2 types of viral vectors

Answer 5

1) Replicating
2) Non-replicating

Question 6

How do virus spike proteins work?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Protein vaccine

Answer 7

a protein is extracted from the virus, purified and injected as a vaccine (it mimics the coronavirus to trigger an immune response)

Question 8

Killed virus

Answer 8

is inactivated using chemicals or heat

Question 9

Weakened virus

Answer 9

virus has mutations in its genome so it doesn’t express its viral proteins as well

Question 10

SPIKEVAX VACCINE (MODERNA)

Answer 10

mRNA that encodes the spike protein enclosed in a lipid nannoparticle

Question 11

Scientific benefits of drug repurposing

Answer 11

• New knowledge gained about role of protein target in a new disease
• New knowledge gained about role of protein target in an old disease

Question 12

Financial benefits of drug repurposing

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

Chloroquine/ hydroxychloroquine

Answer 13

An anti-malarial drug
- Increases pH of lysosomes and endosomes
- No added benefit beyond standard care

Question 14

Remdesivir

Answer 14

originally produced to treat Ebola virus infections
- Antiviral agent that needs to be metabolized to become active
- Adenosine mimic (“analog”)

Question 15

Lopinavir-Ritonavir

Answer 15

used for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS
- Protease inhibitor

Question 16

Calquence

Answer 16

approved in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Works by suppressing body’s immune response during a cytokine storm

Question 17

Host Target

Answer 17

• Little risk of mutations leading to resistance
• May be of greater use for future pandemics beyond coronaviruses
• Risk of toxicity

Question 18

Viral Target

Answer 18

• Greater likelihood of selectivity and low toxicity
• Resistance may develop with monotherapy
• May only be of use for this pandemic or closely related viruses

Question 19

Paxlovid

Answer 19

was developed from scratch during the current pandemic (a protease inhibitors)

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) for HIV

Question 20

Molnupiravir

Answer 20

causes lethal mutagenesis of viruses