HKU Scientists Develops Groundbreaking Drug Against Every Known Coronavirus
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong’s LKS Faculty of Medicine (HKUMed) and the InnoHK Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics (CVVT), in collaboration with Sichuan University, have developed a new antiviral compound capable of fighting all known human coronaviruses.
The compound, TMP1, is a bispecific inhibitor that blocks both the virus’s replication and its entry into human cells.
Laboratory and animal studies show TMP1 remains effective against variants resistant to current treatments such as Paxlovid. A patent has been filed, and clinical development is underway. Findings were published in Nature Communications.
Over the past 20 years, three major coronavirus outbreaks, including COVID-19, have highlighted the ongoing risk of new viruses spreading from animals to humans, underlining the need for broader protective treatments.
Existing drugs generally target a single protein, such as Mpro, which allows the virus to multiply, or TMPRSS2, a human enzyme the virus uses to enter cells. TMP1 overcomes these limitations by targeting both simultaneously, using an advanced chemical synthesis process.
Tests show TMP1 has strong activity against SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS-CoV, and prevents virus spread in animal models. Its unique binding to Mpro also helps combat drug-resistant strains.
The study demonstrates that dual-target inhibition can provide wide-ranging protection and may lead to a new generation of more durable antiviral drugs. TMP1 has won international awards, including a Silver Prize at the 50th Geneva Inventions Exhibition and a Gold Medal with two special awards at iCAN 2025.
