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.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Chloroquine, Drug repurposing, Ivermectin, Machine learning, Pathogens, Remdesivir triphosphate, Virus.
