Technology ID
TAB-4331

Tempol as a Therapeutic to Treat Covid-19 Via Inhibition of Viral Replication

E-Numbers
E-031-2021-0
Lead Inventor
Rouault, Tracey (NICHD)
Co-Inventors
Linehan, William (NCI)
Maio, Nunziata (NICHD)
Applications
Therapeutics
Therapeutic Areas
Infectious Disease
Immunology
Development Stages
Discovery
Lead IC
NCI
ICs
NICHD
NCI

Despite several partially effective prophylactic vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 exist, patients worldwide still succumb to COVID-19. New therapeutics to treat this disease are still needed.  Upon host invasion, a critical step in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is intracellular replication of SARS-CoV-2 before viral particles invade nearby healthy cells. This triggers an extreme inflammatory response that may lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or transmission to another host. Therefore, therapeutics that can successfully curb the replication of SARS-CoV-2 are imperative. 

Within host cells, the replication of SARS-CoV-2’s genome is catalyzed by RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRP). NIH investigators discovered that the nitroxide antioxidant, TEMPOL, interferes with RdRP’s assembly and activity, leading to reduced viral replication in vitro. This discovery suggests that TEMPOL could serve as an antiviral to treat patients with active SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Competitive Advantages:

  • Targets replication of SARS-CoV-2
  • Inexpensive
  • Accessible
  • Low cytotoxicity

Commercial Applications:

  • Covid-19 therapeutic
  • SARS-CoV-2 antiviral

Request More Info

Licensing Contact:
Jinnah, Zarpheen
zarpheen.jinnah@nih.gov

Patents

  • US
    Provisional (PRV) 63/193,656
    Filed on 2021-05-27
  • Patent Cooperation Treaty
    (PCT) PCT/US2022/031405
    Filed on 2022-05-27

Publications

Collaborations

  • Licensing
  • Collaboration
Date Published
Date Updated