Towards the Prevention of Coronavirus Infection: What Role Can Polymers Play?

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome associated coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global public health crisis with high rates of infection and mortality. Treatment and prevention approaches include vaccine development, the design of small molecule antiviral drugs and macromolecular neutralizing antibodies. Polymers have been designed for effective virus inhibition and as anti-viral drug delivery carriers.. This review summarizes recent progress and provides a perspective on polymer based approaches for the treatment and prevention of coronavirus infection. These polymer-based partners include polyanion/polycations, dendritic polymers, macromolecular prodrugs and polymeric drug delivery systems that have the potential to significantly improve the efficacy of antiviral therapeutics.