Use of salmeterol as an anti-coronaviral agent
Inventors
Marchant, Jonathan Stephen • Aufderheide, Tom Paul
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12329727-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-17
Expiration Date
2041-04-21
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Abstract
Described herein are methods for treating COVID-19 or preventing COVID-19 in a subject exposed to SARS-CoV-2 by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of salmeterol or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Core Innovation
The invention describes methods for treating or preventing COVID-19 in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of salmeterol or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Salmeterol, already approved for use as a bronchodilator in asthma and COPD, is newly identified for its anti-coronaviral activity through inhibition of two-pore channels (TPCs) in mammalian cells. Administration can occur via inhalation, topical application to mucosal tissue (such as the nasal mucosa), or as a suspension or in combination with a steroid.
The problem addressed is the lack of effective treatments or therapeutics for COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. The patent identifies a significant need for COVID-19 therapeutics, as few options existed for managing this ongoing and globally impactful disease. Coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, use host cell endolysosomal pathways, and previous strategies aimed at these pathways were too broadly damaging to be therapeutic.
The core innovation is the identification and use of salmeterol as a TPC inhibitor that blocks NAADP-mediated Ca2+ release, thereby inhibiting the uptake and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in mammalian cells. The methods include both treating subjects already suffering from COVID-19 and preventing COVID-19 in subjects exposed to the virus, marking a novel repurposing of salmeterol as an anti-coronaviral agent with mechanisms distinct from its known beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist activity.
Claims Coverage
There are three independent claims, each covering a method involving administration of salmeterol or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt for treating COVID-19, reducing severity in exposed subjects, or inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.
Method for treating COVID-19 by inhalation of salmeterol
A method for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a subject by administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of salmeterol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with the composition administered by inhalation, resulting in improvement of one or more symptoms of COVID-19.
Method for reducing COVID-19 severity in exposed subjects by inhalation of salmeterol
A method of reducing the severity of COVID-19 in a subject exposed to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), by administering to the subject a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of salmeterol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein administration is by inhalation, leading to treatment of one or more symptoms of COVID-19.
Method of inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infectivity with salmeterol
A method of inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in a mammalian cell by administering to the mammalian cell a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of salmeterol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein salmeterol or the salt inhibits nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) mediated Ca2+ release and uptake of SARS-CoV-2 by two-pore channel (TPC) receptors, with administration by inhalation.
The inventive features are methods that utilize salmeterol or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts administered by inhalation for treating or reducing the severity of COVID-19, as well as for directly inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infectivity via TPC inhibition.
Stated Advantages
Salmeterol improves patient lung function and respiratory flow, which is beneficial for COVID-19 patients experiencing oxygen insufficiency.
Salmeterol enhances mucus clearance due to its ability to increase ciliary beat frequency, aiding in the removal of excess mucus caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Salmeterol exerts potent and long-lasting anti-inflammatory effects, potentially attenuating COVID-19-induced inflammatory lung damage.
Administration by inhalation delivers high concentrations of the anti-viral agent directly into lung tissue, the primary site of SARS-CoV-2 pathology.
Existing FDA-approved salmeterol formulations (inhalers) allow for convenient and familiar use by patients, supporting out-patient administration and reducing strain on healthcare infrastructure.
Documented Applications
Treatment of subjects with COVID-19 through administration of salmeterol or pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
Prevention of COVID-19 in subjects exposed to SARS-CoV-2 by administering salmeterol or pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in mammalian cells using salmeterol or pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
Treatment or prevention of diseases or infections such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), SARS, SARS-CoV-2 infection, MERS-CoV infection, or SARS-CoV infection using salmeterol or pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
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