A highly conserved cryptic epitope in the receptor-binding domains of SARS-CoV-2, LT5578, was cited by Nature (Potently neutralizing and protective human antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, volume 584, pages443–449(2020)). This peptide was synthesized in 6 days. This is part of the receptor-binding domain (RBD). It is a critical determinant of virus-receptor interaction and thus of viral host range and tropism. The RBD also includes important viral-neutralizing epitopes (21–23), and it may be sufficient to raise a protective antibody response in inoculated animals.

Two potently neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, COV2-2196 and COV2-2130, which recognize non-overlapping sites, bound simultaneously to the S protein and neutralized wild-type SARS-CoV-2 virus in a synergistic manner.

Lately, a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike S (S1+S2) Protein was produced by LifeTein. The amino acid sequences of recombinant protein was derived from (Q14 – Q1208) of accession# YP009724390.1. The SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein is composed of two subunits; the S1 subunit contains a receptor-binding domain that engages with the host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and the S2 subunit mediates fusion between the viral and host cell membranes. The S RBD protein plays key parts in the induction of neutralizing-antibody and T-cell responses, as well as protective immunity, during infection with SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) as in recent COVID-19 outbreak.

LifeTein successfully synthesized Aureocin A53, a highly cationic 51-residue peptide containing ten lysine and five tryptophan residues,   Formyl-MSWLNFLKYIAKYGKKAVSAAWKYKGKVLEWLNVGPTLEWVWQKLKKIAGL, using solid-phase peptide synthesis approach. A53 is a Class II bacteriocins. It was originally isolated from Staphylococcus aureus A53 and is active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. The mode of action was proposed as insertion into lipid bilayer and consequent membrane leakage. The solid-phase peptide synthesis provide an inexpensive alternative to isolation from bacteria culture or recombinant expression.

It was found that RLF-100 (Aviptadil) is associated with rapid respiratory failure recovery among COVID-19 Patients. The clinical findings may be based on evidence that VIP inhibits the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in human lung cells and immune cells (monocytes). No other antiviral agent has demonstrated rapid recovery from viral infection and demonstrated laboratory inhibition of viral replication. It is a patented formulation of aviptadil (synthetic human Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, VIP), which has been granted FDA fast track designation, FDA emergency use IND authorization, and an expanded access protocol. Aviptadil is an injectable formulation of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in combination with the adrenergic drug phentolamine.