Scientists from the Israeli Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) claim that analogues of two drugs used for the treatment of Gaucher’s disease could be effective against Covid-19.
A study performed by IIBR, run by the country’s Defense Ministry, shows derivatives of Cerdelga and venglustat can act as an antiviral therapeutic against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19.
Cerdelga is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug, while venglustat is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials.
Both potential Covid-19 drugs are specific inhibitors of GlucosylCeramide synthase (GCS). According to the Israeli study findings, published in bioRxiv preprint website, the combination of these drugs led to a