ACE2-targeted approach validated as Benter’s early prediction gains scientific support

In a study published in 1993, Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Benter, Dean of Final International University, first demonstrated that the angiotensin-(1-7) molecule produced by the ACE2 enzyme plays a role in regulating blood pressure and protecting tissues from damage. However, in the following years, another critical function of ACE2 was identified: certain coronaviruses—most notably SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19—use the ACE2 receptor as a “gateway” to enter human cells.

In an interview given in 2019, during the early stages of the pandemic, Prof. Dr. Benter emphasized that the most effective way to stop the spread of the virus would be to inhibit the ACE2 receptor—essentially “closing the door” to prevent viral entry into cells. At the time, this approach stood out as a notable scientific foresight.

A new study published on April 6, 2026, in the prestigious journal Trends in Biotechnology has experimentally supported this prediction. Using a method based on “synthetic decoy receptors,” researchers demonstrated that targeting the ACE2 receptor can effectively block the virus from entering cells.

According to the study’s findings, these synthetic decoy particles can strongly inhibit infection even at low micromolar concentrations and prevent viral proliferation at low doses. These results offer an important protective strategy not only against current coronaviruses but also against potential future variants and outbreaks.

This exciting development in the scientific world highlights the importance of Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Benter’s theoretical approach proposed years ago, now validated through modern biotechnological methods. The method may pave the way for a new era in antiviral treatment and preventive healthcare strategies.