Decades-Old Leprosy Drug Inhibits Coronaviruses, May Treat COVID-19

In an effort to find new treatments for COVID-19 that could be made available quickly, researchers searched through FDA-approved drugs to identify candidates that may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication. Through this process, researchers found that clofazimine, a decades-old anti-leprosy drug, exhibits potent antiviral activities against many coronaviruses—including SARS-CoV-2. The authors hope to test clofazimine as soon as possible in a Phase II clinical trial.