Big Data Used to Search Billions of Molecules for Promising Compounds Against COVID-19

A new cutting-edge technology is applying the power of big data to the world of molecular discovery by allowing scientists to sift through billions of molecules at once, rather than testing potential compounds individually, in order to search for antiviral compounds for treating people infected with COVID-19. The technology has been developed by 48Hour Discovery INC. (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), a University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) spinoff company.

Recent research has completed the genome sequencing of the novel coronavirus, and scientists at 48Hour Discovery are using this information in conjunction with the company’s technology to screen and optimize potential drug candidates to treat those infected with COVID-19. The company is also working with external stakeholders and partners to provide access to its search platform to assist in rapid discovery services for other projects related to COVID-19, including test development and other treatment options.


“Our proprietary technology offers a much faster discovery process, which will bring promising molecules to the clinic faster than ever before,” said John Dwyer, vice-president of research at 48Hour Discovery. “We are searching through our billion-scale peptide libraries for compounds that could be optimized as antivirals against COVID-19.”

“Our first priority is finishing the optimization and initial testing of promising candidates and then finding a partner to advance to pre-clinical and clinical evaluation,” added Dwyer, who worked on a similar drug program during the SARS outbreak in 2003. “The goal is to have clinically attractive compounds ready for pre-clinical testing by the end of 2020.”

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University of Alberta
48Hour Discovery INC.