Lopinavir and Ritonavir
In patients infected with 2019-nCoV, clinical trials (e.g.,
ChiCTR2000029539) were initiated to study HIV protease inhibitors such
as Lopinavir and Ritonavir. Lopinavir and Ritonavir were initially
suspected to inhibit SARS and MERS 3-chymotrypsin-like protease and
seemedto be correlated in a non-randomized open-label trial 2, with
improved clinical outcomes of SARS patients. It was revealed that
Lopinavir and Ritonavir were associated with significant clinical
benefit (less adverse clinical outcomes) among SARS-CoV patients
[43]. The combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir is currently a
recommended antivirus regimen approved by the National Health Commission
of the People’s Republic of China in the latest form of Diagnosis and
Treatment of Pneumonia Caused by 2019-nCoV (version 5) [44].