RESEARCH: COVID-19
FOLDING PROJECT #13449 PROFILE

Scientists are using computer simulations to find new drugs that can fight COVID-19. The top candidates will be tested in labs. You can see their progress and even help fund the research!

Note: This TLDR is a simplication and may not be 100% accurate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnyaAmM1nhEThese projects are rapid sprints of relative alchemical free energy calculations for prioritizing compound designs from chemists from the COVID Moonshot for synthesis.

Top-scoring molecules will be made and tested in a laboratory by the COVID Moonshot as it works to develop an open science patent-free inexpensive therapy for COVID-19 that shuts down the essential SARS-CoV-2 main viral protease.

The COVID Moonshot has already made and tested hundreds of compounds, and is pursuing several good lead series.

You can see their progress in real time here:
https://covid.postera.ai/covid/submissions/compounds To learn more about what the Moonshot is and how it came about, you can read our blog post or watch this video. In addition to helping us prioritize compounds, you can help us purchase more compounds for synthesis at cost from Enamine by sponsoring our GoFundMe page for patent-free open science COVID-19 drug discovery! This is a radical new approach to drug discovery that aims to rapidly produce inexpensive new therapies. SARS-CoV-2 main viral potease (Mpro) with ligand bound, from the RCSB.

---

compound

A substance with a defined chemical structure.

In drug discovery, a compound refers to a molecule that is being investigated for its potential therapeutic effects. Chemists synthesize and test various compounds to identify those that interact with specific biological targets, such as proteins or enzymes, in a way that can treat or prevent disease.

---

COVID Moonshot

A global collaboration focused on rapidly developing effective treatments for COVID-19.

The COVID Moonshot is an international initiative aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of safe and effective therapies for COVID-19. It involves researchers, scientists, and organizations from around the world working together to identify promising drug candidates, conduct clinical trials, and manufacture vaccines and treatments at scale.

---

SARS-CoV-2

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. It is a type of coronavirus that was first identified in Wuhan, China, in late 2019.

---

Mpro

Main viral protease

Mpro (main viral protease) is an enzyme crucial for the replication of SARS-CoV-2. It plays a role in processing viral proteins, enabling the virus to assemble new particles and spread infection.

---

viral protease

An enzyme produced by viruses that is essential for their replication.

Viral proteases are enzymes found in viruses that play a critical role in their life cycle. They cleave viral proteins, allowing the virus to assemble new particles and spread infection.

---

open science

A movement advocating for open access to research data and findings.

Open science promotes transparency and collaboration in research by making data, methods, and publications freely accessible. This approach aims to accelerate scientific discovery and ensure that knowledge is shared widely.

---

patent-free

Not protected by patents.

Patent-free refers to inventions or technologies that are not covered by intellectual property rights. This allows for wider access and use without the need to obtain permission from patent holders.