PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

Niclosamide shows strong antiviral activity in a human airway model of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a conserved potency against the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351) and Delta variant (B.1.617.2).

  • Anne Weiss,
  • Franck Touret,
  • Cecile Baronti,
  • Magali Gilles,
  • Bruno Hoen,
  • Antoine Nougairède,
  • Xavier de Lamballerie,
  • Morten O A Sommer

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260958
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 12
p. e0260958

Abstract

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SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging with potential increased transmissibility highlighting the great unmet medical need for new therapies. Niclosamide is a potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent that has advanced in clinical development. We validate the potent antiviral efficacy of niclosamide in a SARS-CoV-2 human airway model. Furthermore, niclosamide remains its potency against the D614G, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants. Our data further support the potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties of niclosamide and highlights its great potential as a therapeutic agent for COVID-19.