Reportedly, Merck & Co., Inc.’s (MRK) experimental oral COVID-19 antiviral drug, molnupiravir is expected to produce promising results against variants of the coronavirus, including the dominant, highly transmissible Delta.
Molnupiravir does not target the spike protein of the virus, which all the current COVID-19 vaccines target, and thus is expected to act well. Experts believe the drug should be equally effective as the virus continues to evolve. The drug Molnupiravir instead targets the viral polymerase, an enzyme needed for the virus to make copies of itself. Data displayed that the drug proved most effective when given early in the course of infection.
Earlier this year, Merck informed that in a small, mid-stage trial after five days of molnupiravir treatment, none of the patients taking various doses of the drug tested positive for coronavirus, however, 24% of placebo patients did have detectable levels. Merck is currently conducting two Phase III trials of the antiviral it is developing with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics – one for treatment of COVID-19 and another as a preventive. Merck anticipates that the Phase III treatment study will finish in early November.
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) is a global healthcare solutions provider that has been working towards bringing forward medicine and vaccines for some of the world’s most challenging diseases for more than a century. They are committed to increasing health care access and continue to be at the leading edge of research. Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. To learn more about Merck (MRK) and to track its ongoing progress please visit the Vista Partners Merck Coverage Page.
If you liked this story please consider, visiting the Atossa Therapeutics (ATOS) dedicated page at Vista Partners to learn about the Seattle-based biotech firm’s work towards finding therapeutic treatments for Breast Cancer and the Coronavirus.
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