Orally delivered MK-4482 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in the Syrian hamster model
Kyle Rosenke, Frederick Hansen, Benjamin Schwarz, Friederike Feldmann, Elaine Haddock, Rebecca Rosenke, Kent Barbian, Kimberly Meade‐White, Atsushi Okumura, Shanna Leventhal, David W. Hawman, Emily Ricotta, Catharine M. Bosio, Craig Martens, Greg Saturday, Heinz Feldmann, Michael A. Jarvis
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic progresses unabated in many regions of the world. An effective antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 that could be administered orally for use following high-risk exposure would be of substantial benefit in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Herein, we show that MK-4482, an orally administered nucleoside analog, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in the Syrian hamster model. The inhibitory effect of MK-4482 on SARS-CoV-2 replication is observed in animals when the drug is administered either beginning 12 h before or 12 h following infection in a high-risk exposure model. These data support the potential utility of MK-4482 to control SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans following high-risk exposure as well as for treatment of COVID-19 patients.