Pfizer to study oral drug for prevention of COVID

NEW DELHI: Soon, we might have an oral and easy-to-administer antiviral drug for the prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Pfizer Inc announced on Monday, September 27, that they have started a large study to test their oral antiviral drug against the COVID-19 vaccine among those who have been exposed to the virus. Other United States-based drugmakers namely Merck & Co Inc and Swiss pharmaceutical Roche Holding AG also have an easy-to-administer antiviral drug for COVID-19 in developing stages.

Pfizer, in a public statement, informed that the drug is in the mid-to-late stage and will be now tested in up to 2,660 healthy adults above the age of 18 who are in close proximity to individuals with confirmed symptomatic COVID-19. Pfizer’s drug, PF-07321332, will be administered along with a low dose of ritonavir, an old medication used in the treatment of HIV infection. The PF-07321332 is designed to block the key enzyme from multiplication, which is needed for the coronavirus to develop in an individual.

Gilead Sciences Inc’s Remdesivir is the only approved antiviral treatment for COVID-19 in the States.

Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics were recently in the news for launching their molnupiravir, the last stage drug for the prevention of COVID-19 infection. It is the only drug that promises to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death in cases of COVID-19 infection.