Antiviral activity of favipiravir against novel delta and omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants


DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/epidem.2022.12.1.110-4

Kryshen K.L., Volok V.P., Shustova E.Yu., Shipunov G.A., Zinchenko A.V., Samsonov M.Yu., Filon O.V., Shipaeva E.V.

1) Research and Production Association «Dom Farmatsii» (House of Pharmacy), Leningrad Region, Russia; 2) M.P. Chumakov Federal Research Center for Testing and Designing Immunobiologicals (Institute of Poliomyelitis), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; 3) AO «R-Farm», Moscow, Russia
Objective. To investigate the antiviral activity of favipiravir against different SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Materials and methods. The antiviral activity of the drug against three SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as the strains B.1.1, delta, and omicron, in Vero cells was investigated in vitro. The results were assessed from the reduced viral RNA yield in the infected cells by a real-time reverse transcription PCR assay.
Results. Favipiravir effectively inhibited the reproduction of SARS-CoV-2, while the inhibitory concentration of EC50 of the drug did not substantially differ between the virus variants within a range of 200–300 μM for all the strains.
Conclusion. Evolutionary changes in the SARS-CoV-2 virus did not have a significant impact on the in vitro activity of the drug, which is maintained against novel SARS-CoV-2 variants.

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About the Autors


Kirill L. Kryshen, Head, Department of Specific Toxicology and Microbiology, Research and Production Association “DOM FARMATSII” (House of Pharmacy), Leningrad Region, Russia; kryshen.kl@doclinika.ru; http://orcid.org/ 0000-0003-1451-7716
Viktor P. Volok, Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Poliomyelitis and Other Enteroviral Infections with the WHO Reference Center for Poliomyelitis Surveillance, Department of Actual and Re-Emerging Infections with Pandemic Potential, M.P. Chumakov Federal Research Center for Testing and Designing Immunobiologicals (Institute of Poliomyelitis), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; volok_vp@chumakovs.su; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9659-723X
Elena Yu. Shustova, Researcher, Laboratory of Poliomyelitis and Other Enteroviral Infections with the WHO Reference Center for Poliomyelitis Surveillance, Department of Actual and Re-Emerging Infections with Pandemic Potential, M.P. Chumakov Federal Research Center for Testing and Designing Immunobiologicals (Institute of Poliomyelitis), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; shustova_eu@chumakovs.su; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1314-0152
Georgi A. Shipunov, Specialist, Department of Preclinical Tests, AO «R-Farm» Moscow, Russia; shipunov@rpharm.ru; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4495-7050
Olga V. Filon, Director, Department for Preclinical and Clinical Development, АО «R-Farm», Moscow, Russia; ov.filon@rpharm.ru; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8735-7429
Mikhail Yu. Samsonov, Cand. Med. Sci., Medical Director, AO «R-Farm», Moscow, Russia; shipunov@rpharm.ru; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2685-1623
Elena V. Shipaeva, Cand. Med. Sci., Head, Department of Preclincal Tests, AO «R-Farm», Moscow, Russia; shipaeva@rpharm.ru; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5953-984X


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