Author summary ( from mouse study )
Antiviral agents are highly important for the management of COVID-19. New antivirals are needed, because available drugs have drawbacks that limit their use and are threatened by drug resistance. This study demonstrates that the small molecule drug BIT225 is an inhibitor of an important viral ion channel (E protein). E protein is required for virus replication and is involved in eliciting inflammatory response to infection. Exacerbated inflammation is a hallmark of severe COVID-19 in mice and in humans. In a mouse model of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, BIT225 treatment starting before or 24 hours after infection could protect all treated mice from developing disease, from experiencing weight loss and from death (100%, n = 17), while all untreated mice developed severe disease, started to lose body weight from Day 3 onwards and died within 9 days after infection. BIT225 treatment was associated with potent suppression of virus load, and reduced inflammation markers, consistent with effective clearance of the virus. These results are remarkable for the high efficacy achieved with a new mechanism of action. BIT225 is a clinical stage drug candidate with an established human safety profile. These results support clinical evaluation of BIT225 for the treatment of human SARS-CoV-2 infection.
BIT225 has previously shown antiviral activity against both HIV-1 and HCV in the clinic, as well as potential to reverse adverse viral-induced immunopathogenesis [8,9,37–40]. BIT225 is currently being evaluated in phase 2 clinical studies for its potential to reduce HIV-1 replicationAnd this is the best BIT ( pun lol ) These results indicate selective inhibition of E protein ion channel activity by BIT225 and the ability of BIT225 to fully suppress E protein ion channel current.
Now that means it don't replicate , and of course dies .
I am with you now BMD , that hunch on HIV is getting bigger and bigger .
