In the search for treatments for COVID-19, many researchers are focusing their attention on a specific protein that allows the virus to infect human cells. Called the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, or ACE2 “receptor,” the protein provides the entry point for the coronavirus to hook into and infect a wide range of human cells. Might this be central in how to treat this disease?

The present invention is based upon the identification of human angiotensin­converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) as a functional receptor for the SARS coronavirus. Transfection of cells with ACE-2 confers upon them the ability to support viral replication. In addition, assays performed using ACE-2 together with the S protein of the SARS virus or a fragment derived from the S protein can be used to identify inhibitors that block the interaction between virus and host cell.

https://patents.google.com...