Development of an investigational new drug from a novel, open-science, orally available small molecule antiviral targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease

The COVID Moonshot project focuses on global equitable access to a safe, low-cost oral antiviral treatment that quickly clears SARS-CoV-2 infections and future coronavirus-related diseases. Current therapeutics in clinical trials require intravenous administration and are developed mainly by organizations focusing on a commercial return. This proposal will research an oral treatment to significantly improve patient outcomes in low-resource settings, removing the need for a cold chain or injection and enabling stockpiling of therapeutics for both this and future pandemics We will develop a novel inhibition of main protease (3CL protease) of coronaviruses in order to prevent viral replication, aiming to create a generic drug "straight from the pipeline," facilitating decentralised manufacturing and distribution allowing for rapid patient access. We target effective oral treatment for early stages of disease to reduce viral load, mortality and morbidity (e.g. long COVID). The goal is to progress a compound to Phase I readiness, anticipating clinical trials in 2022. This proposal involves the established Moonshot team complemented by DNDi's expertise in IP and access strategy, preclinical project management, and drug development. The project aims to maintain the proven open science model adopted from the outset.