● Wnt/Beta-catenin inhibitors block replication of coronaviruses and other pathogenic RNA viruses.
● Potential to repurpose existing compounds.
Researchers from the University of Alberta Department of Cell Biology have identified a novel class of small molecules with antiviral activity. Using multiple human primary cell types and cell lines, we have demonstrated in vitro that Wnt/Beta-catenin inhibitors block replication of coronaviruses when administered pre- and post- infection. Some Wnt/Beta-catenin inhibitors were shown to significantly reduce SARS-CoV2 viral titres in normal bronchial epithelial lung cells. Certain Wnt/beta-catenin inhibitors demonstrated efficacy against HCOV-229E, HCOV-NL63, Zika virus and Mayoro virus.
Wnt/Beta-catenin inhibitors may achieve this effect through inducing peroxisome proliferation and enhancing interferon production; interferon production is not induced by these compounds in the absence of viral infection.
Intellectual property status
Patent already applied for
Patent application number : WO2022020967
Where : PCT
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