OREANDA-NEWS. Ural scientists are working on the creation of drugs for coronavirus, the Ural Federal University (UrFU) reported on Wednesday.

"Employees of the Institute of Organic Synthesis of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Ural Federal University are working on the creation of drugs for coronavirus. Scientists have selected more than 50 samples of new compounds that can become the basis for new drugs," the statement says.

Valery Charushin, Chairman of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, member of the Supervisory Board of UrFU, noted that the President of the country instructed several ministries to pay attention not only to vaccines, but also to medicines.

"We have just transferred to the Novosibirsk" Vector "more than 50 samples of new compounds that we are considering. Scientists from the Institute of Organic Synthesis of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Ural Federal University are working together under this grant. We have carried out computer modeling, virtual biological screening and, based on its results, carried out docking of these samples in relation to viral RNA polymerase. On the basis of these results, a library of compounds was prepared, which will now be tested in Novosibirsk at the Scientific and Production Association "Vector", - said Charushin.

At the same time, the St. Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics, which is part of the Kurchatov Institute Research Center, is evaluating and studying the mechanisms of action of these compounds in relation to COVID-19, the academician said.

UrFU clarifies that the research is being carried out within the framework of the grant. Last year, the application of the Institute of Organic Synthesis of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the development of medicinal chemistry received support from the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. A grant of 100 million rubles was allocated to a consortium of eight institutes whose employees are engaged in organic synthesis.