A potential COVID-19 vaccine has been developed by researchers using AI and cloud computing to prevent the Spike protein from binding to the ACE2 receptor on human cells. The researchers used computer models of the S protein and its human receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), to identify how the virus was infecting human cells. They were then able to design a vaccine to block this process.
- https://www.drugtargetreview.com/news/59650/ai-and-cloud-computing-used-to-develop-covid-19-vaccine/
Why It’ll Still Take More Than a Year to Develop a Vaccine
Despite positive reports from initial clinical trials, experts tell Healthline the best-case scenario for a vaccination delivered to market is probably 18 months to 2 years. That may sound like too long, given the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s quicker than the 5 to 10 years for many vaccines. Scientists all around the world are working together in order to find a cure, but even if a cure is found, disribution will be the next challenge.
J&J HIV Drug Prezista Fails in Vitro Study
Scientists conducting an in vitro study at Johnson & Johnson found that an HIV drug, Prezista, already in clinical development for Covid-19 failed to show activity against the virus that causes it, SARS-CoV-2. Still, numerous other drugs are in development as potential therapies for Covid-19. Remdesivir, the Gilead drug against which Prezista was tested at J&J, is in two Phase III clinical trials run by the company itself, while a Chinese study is expected to report data this month. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi are testing Kevzara (sarilumab), while Moderna is testing a vaccine, mRNA-1273.