Case Studies in Antiviral Drug Repurposing

The incessant emergence of novel viral pathogens poses a perpetual challenge to global public health. Traditional drug development pipelines often lag behind the urgent need for effective antiviral treatments. In this context, drug repurposing has emerged as a promising strategy to expedite the identification and deployment of therapeutics against both known and novel viral infections. This article explores the concept of drug repurposing in antiviral therapy, highlighting its potential to harness existing pharmaceutical agents for novel indications. By leveraging the extensive knowledge of drug safety profiles, pharmacokinetics, and mechanisms of action, repurposed drugs offer a shortcut to clinical trials and regulatory approval, thereby accelerating the time to market. Furthermore, drug repurposing provides a cost-effective approach compared to de novo drug discovery and development. This article reviews successful examples of drug repurposing in antiviral therapy, such as the use of nucleoside analogs originally developed for other viral infections like HIV and hepatitis C, now being repurposed for emerging viral threats such as SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, it discusses the challenges and limitations associated with drug repurposing, including issues related to intellectual property, off-label use, and the need for robust preclinical and clinical evidence. Overall, drug repurposing presents a compelling avenue for the rapid response to emerging viral outbreaks, offering a pragmatic and resource-efficient approach to combat the evolving landscape of infectious diseases.