VV993

VV993 is an orally bioavailable small molecule 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) inhibitor being developed for the treatment of COVID-19. The 3CL protease, also known as the main protease (Mpro), is a critical enzyme for the replication of SARS-CoV-2, as it is responsible for processing viral polyproteins into functional units. By inhibiting this enzyme, VV993 prevents viral replication. The drug was co-developed by Junshi Biosciences and Suzhou Wangshan Wangshui Biomedicine. As of mid-2022, the candidate was in preclinical development, following the development of Junshi's other COVID-19 antiviral candidate, VV116.