The metallodrug BOLD-100 is a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 replication and has broad-acting antiviral activity

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the urgent need for new drugs to treat patients. Some metal-based drugs interact with genetic material and proteins in the body and have shown promise against cancer and infections. A new drug called BOLD-100, based on the metal ruthenium, is being tested for treating advanced gastrointestinal cancer. We wanted to know if BOLD-100 could also fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19. In our research, we found that BOLD-100 strongly blocks the reproduction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its harmful effects in laboratory experiments. We used a technique called RNA sequencing to study the genetic activity of infected cells treated with BOLD-100. This drug stopped the virus from causing abnormal changes in these cells. Interestingly, BOLD-100 didn’t just work against SARS-CoV-2, it also inhibited the growth of other viruses like HIV-1 and Human Adenovirus Type 5. These findings suggest that BOLD-100 could potentially be a new and versatile drug to fight various viral infections, including COVID-19. Further research and clinical trials will help us understand how effective and safe BOLD-100 could be in treating viral diseases.

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