Summary: 
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks collaborators and/or licensees for co-development and commercialization of an inhibitor of coronavirus main protease. 

Description of Technology: 
The recent COVID-19 pandemic led to millions of deaths worldwide – presenting an urgent need to develop vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 infections. Although vaccines saved lives by preventing severe disease progression, there remains a need for additional therapeutics that may prevent and/or treat coronavirus infections. The return of symptoms after the use of certain COVID-19 medications demonstrate the need for additional treatment options. 

Investigators at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have found a previously approved corticosteroid, tixocortol, to be an inhibitor of the homodimeric main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 at an allosteric site of inhibition, cysteine residue 300 (Cys300). Coronaviruses rely on Mpro for proteolytic processing to produce mature forms of the virus – deeming Mpro an excellent target to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Tixocortol may also be useful against SARS-CoV-1 due to the conservation of Cys300 and in future coronavirus outbreaks. Tixocortol displays inhibitory effect against Mpro when added to cell culture up to 18 hours prior to coronavirus infection, indicating possible preventive use. Tixocortol pivalate was previously manufactured as a spray and would be easy to apply before entering crowded areas for prevention.

The NCI seeks collaborators and/or licensees for co-development and commercialization of an inhibitor of coronavirus main protease. 

Potential Commercial Applications: 

•    Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 infections
•    Preventive of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 infections and symptoms
•    Therapeutic and preventive use against other coronaviruses and respiratory viruses where the allosteric site of inhibition is conserved 

Competitive Advantages:

•    Previously developed corticosteroid with a good safety profile
•    Non-toxic and non-immunosuppressive
•    Nasal delivery
•    Potential use against other coronaviruses
•    Inhibitory effect against SARS-CoV-2 main protease in cell culture up to 18 hours prior to viral infection