Year’s End May See Pill to Treat COVID

Pfizer CEO, Albert Bourla, announced yesterday that an antiviral pill to treat Covid-19 may be available by the end of the year. The pill, taken orally at home, would be effective at the first sign of Covid-19 infection or exposure, and is expected to be effective against variants.

Pfizer is testing two antivirals, one intravenous and the other oral, but is focusing on the oral drug, due to it’s ease of use.

Last month Pfizer started Phase 1 clinical trials of the drug, called PF-07321332, which contains protease inhibitors that bind to viral enzymes, preventing viral replication. Protease inhibitors are used successfully for HIV and hepatitis C. Phase 3 testing is now underway in the U.S. and Belgium for the drug.

See article in Forbes.com  “Pfizer CEO Says Antiviral Pill To Treat Covid Could Be Ready By The End Of The Year” (4/28/2021)

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