Aplidine possesses antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2(IC90 = 0.88 nM). Aplidine is a potent anti-cancer agent by targeting eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 Alpha 2(EEF1A2, Kd = 80 nM).

eEF1A2:80 nM(Kd), SARS-CoV-2:0.88 nM(IC90)

In hACE2-293T cells, Aplidine exhibits anti–SARS-CoV-2 activity with an IC90 of 0.88 nM. In an established model of human pneumocyte-like cells, Aplidine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication with an IC90 of 3.14 nM and a selectivity index of 40.4[1]. Aplidine (20 nM; 1 h) induces a dose-dependent decrease in VEGF secretion in MOLT-4 cells. Aplidine (20 nM; 1 h) does not result in significant inhibition of VEGF-R1 mRNA in normal endothelial cells, which do express VEGFR-1 but do not secrete VEGF[1].

In BALB/c mice expressing human ACE2, Aplidine significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection. 0.3 mg/kg Aplidine group results in a reduction of nearly 2 log units in SARS-CoV-2 viral titers in the lungs, and the 1 mg/kg group leads to a reduction of 1.5 log units[2].