Enamine Plays Key Role in Discovery of Promising Broad-Spectrum Coronavirus Antiviral
Enamine, a leading chemistry and R&D services company, has announced its pivotal contribution to the discovery of a promising broad-spectrum coronavirus antiviral pre-clinical candidate. This milestone was achieved through a first-of-its-kind, open-science collaboration, which brought together researchers from around the globe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing need for preparedness against future coronavirus outbreaks.
The antiviral pre-clinical candidate, designated ASAP-0017445, was developed through the joint efforts of the COVID Moonshot and ASAP (AI-driven Structure-enabled Antiviral Platform) Discovery Consortium. Enamine, as a core member of the consortium from its inception, provided essential synthetic chemistry support and logistics that accelerated the early discovery phase. The company’s advanced chemistry platform delivered over 2,000 novel compounds during the initial stages of the program, enabling rapid exploration of chemical space and identification of promising antiviral candidates.
ASAP-0017445 is being positioned as a direct-to-generic antiviral, designed to be globally accessible and affordable. The drug candidate demonstrated encouraging preliminary efficacy and safety results during pre-clinical evaluation and has been recognized by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) as a highly effective antiviral for coronaviruses. This nomination reflects the candidate’s potential as a valuable tool in preparing for future pandemics by providing an oral treatment option capable of rapid deployment worldwide.
Enamine’s Role in the Discovery Process
Enamine’s contributions were central to the early stages of the antiviral discovery program. The company’s synthetic chemistry capabilities enabled the rapid production of novel compounds, while its integrated compound management and logistical infrastructure supported the efficient handling and distribution of these molecules to researchers and consortium members worldwide.
A key component of Enamine’s work involved conducting Tier 1 ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) tests in close proximity to the compound repository. This proximity allowed for rapid feedback on molecular performance and facilitated shorter Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA) cycles, which are essential in accelerating the identification and optimization of drug candidates. By combining high-throughput compound synthesis with immediate biological testing, Enamine significantly reduced the timeline typically required for antiviral discovery.
Following the generation of the initial compound library, further optimization of the lead series was performed by MedChemica, leveraging insights from the early-stage data produced by Enamine. This collaborative effort ultimately led to the selection of ASAP-0017445 as a promising pre-clinical candidate with broad-spectrum antiviral potential.
Open Science Approach and Global Collaboration
The development of ASAP-0017445 reflects a unique open-science model of drug discovery, wherein all research findings, chemical structures, and data were made publicly available to accelerate innovation and facilitate collaboration. Enamine’s contribution included not only compound synthesis but also the transparent sharing of all generated chemical structures and associated data. In March 2025, the structure of ASAP-0017445 was publicly disclosed, and its patent information, along with experimental data, was published to encourage widespread access and further research.
This approach ensures that the knowledge generated from the consortium can be freely used by the global scientific community, enhancing the preparedness for future coronavirus pandemics. The open-science strategy aligns with Enamine’s mission to provide high-quality chemistry resources that are accessible for research and drug discovery, enabling rapid responses to urgent public health challenges.
Significance of ASAP-0017445
ASAP-0017445 represents a significant advancement in the fight against coronaviruses. By focusing on broad-spectrum activity, the compound is intended to be effective against multiple strains of coronaviruses, not just SARS-CoV-2, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic. Its development through an open-science framework demonstrates a paradigm shift in how antiviral drugs can be discovered and optimized in a collaborative, transparent, and accelerated manner.
The candidate’s direct-to-generic design ensures that it can be manufactured and distributed globally, offering a practical solution for rapid deployment in case of future viral outbreaks. This addresses a critical need highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic: the ability to produce antiviral therapies at scale and distribute them equitably to populations worldwide.
Enamine’s Strategic Impact
Vladimir Ivanov, Executive Vice President of Enamine, commented on the achievement:
“We are proud to have been a part of this groundbreaking open science collaboration, where researchers from across the world have come together to advance vital drug discovery efforts. We are grateful to all the other organisations who played a part in contributing to the global effort to strengthen resilience against future pandemics.”
Enamine’s extensive capabilities in high-throughput chemical synthesis, compound management, and ADME testing were instrumental in accelerating the development of ASAP-0017445. By producing a large library of novel molecules and rapidly evaluating their properties, Enamine helped reduce the typical time and resource requirements for antiviral discovery. This contribution highlights the company’s position as a key enabler of innovative, collaborative drug discovery programs.
Availability of Compounds and Data
As part of the open-science initiative, all 2,000 compounds generated during the collaboration are now available through Enamine’s catalogue, enabling researchers worldwide to access these molecules for further study. This accessibility promotes continued innovation and ensures that the broader scientific community can build upon the work achieved by the consortium. The transparency and openness of this model demonstrate the power of global collaboration in addressing pressing public health threats.
Conclusion
Enamine’s role in the discovery of ASAP-0017445 exemplifies how advanced chemical synthesis platforms and collaborative, open-science frameworks can accelerate the identification of antiviral candidates with global relevance. The pre-clinical candidate offers a promising tool to prevent and treat future coronavirus pandemics, combining high efficacy, encouraging safety profiles, and broad-spectrum activity.
By integrating synthetic chemistry expertise, rapid ADME testing, and data transparency into a global research collaboration, Enamine has helped establish a new benchmark for antiviral drug discovery. The achievement of ASAP-0017445 demonstrates the critical importance of open science and international collaboration in addressing global health challenges, while also reinforcing Enamine’s leadership in chemistry and R&D services for drug discovery.
For more information about Enamine’s contributions to antiviral drug discovery and access to their chemical catalogue, visit www.enamine.net.
