Theoretical binding studies of famotidine with its potential SARS-CoV-2 protease target.

In this computer modeling study, the interaction between all possible targets of COVID-19 and famotidine were explored using computer-simulated molecular docking assays. The goal was to identify the specific SARS-CoV-2 protein this drug is most likely to bind to.

Among all 12 viral proteins, the COVID-19 papain-like protease (PLpro) had the best docking score with Famotidine. PLpro is one of the proteases needed for viral replication.

This study provides the first proof for the theory published in Nature Medicine (Shaffer, 2020) that PLpro might be the target of famotidine when used to treat COVID-19.