The authors of a recently published report designed lipopeptide fusion inhibitors that aim to block the first critical step of infection of SARS-CoV-2‒membrane fusion between the viral and host cell membranes, mediated by the viral spike protein. According to the study, they selected a dimeric form for evaluation in ferrets and found that “daily intranasal administration to the ferrets completely prevented SARS-CoV-2 direct-contact transmission during 24-hour co-housing with infected animals, under stringent conditions that resulted in infection of 100% of untreated animals. These lipopeptides are highly stable and thus may readily translate into safe and effective intranasal prophylaxis to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2.” This study was published in Science on February 17.
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