2020-148 Off Label Use of FDA Approved Therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2 Treatment

Investigators at UGA recently examined if an FDA-approved generic compound previously studied for other indications, and tested the drug against novel compounds that could potentially inhibit SAR-CoV-2 (CoV2) given the pandemic need for intervention. The method for testing was to screen these potential antivirals in Vero E6 cells. The cells were plated in 12 well plates at 5x105cells/well, the cells were washed and drug added and incubated for 24 hours. All wells were normalized to 0.05% DMSO (the diluent). Each concentration was completed in duplicate. Following pretreatment, media was discarded and cells were replenished with media containing drug and CoV-2. Cells were infected at an MOI of 0.01 for 4 days. Plaques were quantified manually. The results showed a dose-dependent reduction of plaque formation 65% to 40%. Animal studies are currently being planned. Cory Acuff cacuff@uga.edu 706-542-5682