Drugmaker Merck says its experimental COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half in people recently infected with the coronavirus.
It may seem like biotech companies are focused solely on developing vaccines for COVID-19, but some are hard at work on drugs that could treat those who become sick.considered to be at higher risk for severe disease
An independent group of medical experts monitoring the trial recommended stopping it early because the interim results were so strong. That is typical when early results so clearly show a treatment works that there is no need for further testing before applying for authorization. Molnupiravir appears to work by disrupting the coronavirus’ ability to replicate itself inside of human cells. The drug tricks the virus into using its recipe for replication, then inserts a program that generates so many mutations, the virus quickly sputters and dies.
In the skeletal trial results released Friday, the red capsule showed no early signs of worrying side effects. Drug-related adverse events were seen in 12% of those taking molnupiravir and 11% of those who got placebo, Merck said. Just 1.3% of subjects taking the anti-viral medication withdrew from the trial due to worrying symptoms, along with 3.4% of those getting the placebo.
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