This is a real, hopeful possibility. I'm not counting hatched chickens but I do like the way the eggs look. The approach, using the work on SARS and MERS to get a leg up on COVID-19 makes utter sense and the early pre-clinical trial steps looks very promising. Of course, we'll see but I'd rather be hopeful while being patient.
We’re Making Exciting Progress In Developing Covid-19 Drugs
The SARS-CoV-2 protease closely resembles that of both the SARS and MERS enzymes, giving the drug developer a great guide. Using this information, the researchers designed two chemicals, designated 11a and 11b, they thought should do the job.
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The good news is that regardless of the fate of 11a, this research group and many others are hot on the trail of a variety of drugs that will inhibit proteins needed for viral replication. I predict with confidence that by this time next year, cocktails of anti-viral drugs will be approved for use that effectively treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.
I also predict that thereafter, long-acting anti-viral drug formulations will be developed to prevent infection. Such drugs would function as short-acting vaccines to protect our healthcare workers and household members who test SARS-CoV-2 positive.
Lastly, I am confident that also by this time next year, an entirely different approach—use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies—will be effective in tracing and preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections. In any case, help is on the way!
We’re Making Exciting Progress In Developing Covid-19 Drugs
The SARS-CoV-2 protease closely resembles that of both the SARS and MERS enzymes, giving the drug developer a great guide. Using this information, the researchers designed two chemicals, designated 11a and 11b, they thought should do the job.
...
The good news is that regardless of the fate of 11a, this research group and many others are hot on the trail of a variety of drugs that will inhibit proteins needed for viral replication. I predict with confidence that by this time next year, cocktails of anti-viral drugs will be approved for use that effectively treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.
I also predict that thereafter, long-acting anti-viral drug formulations will be developed to prevent infection. Such drugs would function as short-acting vaccines to protect our healthcare workers and household members who test SARS-CoV-2 positive.
Lastly, I am confident that also by this time next year, an entirely different approach—use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies—will be effective in tracing and preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections. In any case, help is on the way!