COVID Moonshot

DOI.10.1126.science.abb4489.S2

Figure 4 doi.org-10.1101-2020.10.29.339317

Figure 1 doi.org-10.1101-2020.10.29.339317

COVID Moonshot is a global, collaborative initiative aimed at accelerating the development of a readily accessible treatment for COVID-19. Launched in response to the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, COVID Moonshot leverages the power of crowdsourcing, open science, and drug discovery technologies to identify and develop antiviral compounds that can inhibit the virus.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in late 2019 and quickly spread globally. In response to the urgent need for effective treatments, the COVID Moonshot project was initiated. It aims to bring together scientists, researchers, and volunteers from around the world to contribute their expertise and resources towards finding a therapeutic solution against COVID-19.

Objectives

The primary objective of COVID Moonshot is to discover potent, safe, and orally bioavailable small molecules that can act as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2. These molecules should be capable of inhibiting the virus's main protease, Mpro, which plays a crucial role in the virus's life cycle by processing the polyproteins that are translated from the viral RNA.

Methodology

COVID Moonshot utilizes an open-source approach, where data and findings are shared in real-time, allowing for rapid iteration and collaboration. The project employs a variety of techniques in its drug discovery process, including:

• Virtual screening of compounds using computational models to predict how different chemicals will bind to the viral protease.
• Synthetic chemistry to create new compounds based on the virtual screening results.
• Biochemical assays to test the efficacy of the compounds in inhibiting the viral protease.
• Structural biology techniques, such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, to understand how the compounds interact with the viral protease at the molecular level.

Progress and Impact

COVID Moonshot has made significant progress since its inception, identifying several promising compounds that inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. The open nature of the project has facilitated widespread collaboration and accelerated the drug discovery process. By sharing data openly, COVID Moonshot ensures that any breakthroughs can be rapidly built upon by the global scientific community, moving closer to the goal of finding an effective treatment for COVID-19.

Challenges

Despite its successes, COVID Moonshot faces several challenges, including the need for substantial funding to support the synthesis and testing of new compounds, the complexity of drug development, and the necessity of conducting extensive clinical trials to ensure the safety and efficacy of any potential treatments.

Conclusion

COVID Moonshot represents a novel approach to drug discovery, emphasizing collaboration, openness, and speed in response to a global health crisis. While challenges remain, the initiative's progress offers hope for the development of effective treatments for COVID-19 and potentially for future pandemics.