Pfizer to study oral drug for prevention of COVID

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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.

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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.

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