Niclosamide shows strong antiviral activity in a human airway model of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a conserved potency against the UK B.1.1.7 and SA B.1.351 variant

Anne Weiss; Franck Touret; Cecile Baronti; Magali Gilles; Bruno Hoen; Antoine Nougairède; Xavier de Lamballerie; Morten Otto Alexander Sommer

doi:10.1101/2021.04.26.441457

Abstract

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 is effective against the D614G, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 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.

Competing Interest Statement

AW and MOAS have shares or options in UNION therapeutics. All other authors have no competing interests to declare.

Footnotes

↵* Shared last authorship: Xavier de Lamballerie (xavier.de-lamballerie{at}univ-amu.fr) and Morten Otto Alexander (morten.sommer{at}uniontherapeutics.com and msom{at}biosustain.dtu.dk)

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