(12 May 2020) Nafamostat- almost 600-fold more potent than remdesivir in Calu-3 cells

Comparative analysis of antiviral efficacy of FDA-approved drugs against SARS-CoV-2 in human lung cells: Nafamostat is the most potent antiviral drug candidate

https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.12.090035

Authors identified 24 FDA-approved drugs which exhibited substantial antiviral effect against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cells. They developed an antiviral screening assay with human lung cells, which is more appropriate than Vero cell. Comparative analysis of antiviral activities revealed that nafamostat is the most potent drug in human lung cells (IC50 = 0.0022µM). Nafamostat mesylate may play dual roles not only as an antiviral to block viral entry but also as an anticoagulant to remove blood clots frequently associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).