Conventional structure-based design of Mpro inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 often starts from the structural information of Mpro and their binders; however, the continual rise of resistant strains requires innovative routes to discover new inhibitors. Here, the authors develop a DNA-encoded chemical library screening to produce non-covalent, non-peptidic small molecule inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Mpro independently of preliminary knowledge regarding suitable starting points.
- Ravikumar Jimmidi
- Srinivas Chamakuri
- Damian W. Young