Broad-spectrum antiviral drug
Broad-spectrum antivirals (BSAs) are a class of compounds, which inhibit replication of a broad range of viruses (i.e. viruses belonging to two or more viral families). BSAs could be divided into experimental and investigational agents, and approved drugs. BSAs work by inhibiting viral proteins (such as polymerases and proteases) or by targeting host cell factors and processes exploited by different viruses during infection. A database of BSAs and viruses they inhibit could be found here. As of 2021, there are 150 known BSA candidates in varying stages of development, effective against 78 human viruses. BSAs are potential candidates for treatment of emerging and re-emerging viruses, such as ebola, marburg, and SARS-CoV-2. Efforts in drug repurposing for SARS-CoV-2 is currently underway.
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