AI and Animation Tools Drive Coronavirus Drug Discovery

A team at Harvard’s Wyss Institute has developed a powerful antiviral drug using AI and animation software originally designed for film. Targeting stable, hidden regions of the coronavirus Spike protein—rather than its mutation-prone surface—the team identified bemcentinib, an FDA-approved drug, as a strong inhibitor of viral entry. Using it as a base, they created WYS-633 and later WYS-694, a compound over 12 times more potent. WYS-694 significantly reduced viral load in infected mice and proved effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS. This breakthrough was achieved through molecular simulations, AI-guided drug screening, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The research highlights the potential of repurposed technology and AI to rapidly develop broad-spectrum antivirals, offering a promising defense against future coronavirus outbreaks. The study received support from DARPA, Open Philanthropy, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

18-06-2025