The American company Pfizer Inc, which has created a vaccine against COVID-19, announced that it is progressing to multiple ascending doses after completing the dosing of single ascending doses in a Phase 1 study in healthy adults to evaluate the safety and tolerability of an investigational, novel oral antiviral therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The announcement is published on the manufacturer's website.
“The oral antiviral clinical candidate PF-07321332, a SARS-CoV2-3CL protease inhibitor, has demonstrated potent in vitro anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2, as well as activity against other coronaviruses, suggesting potential for use in the treatment of COVID-19 as well as potential use to address future coronavirus threats,” Pfizer states.
This drug consists of inhibitors.
“Protease inhibitors bind to a viral enzyme (called a protease), preventing the virus from replicating in the cell. Protease inhibitors have been effective at treating other viral pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis C virus, both alone and in combination with other antivirals. contains inhibitors to prevent virus replication in cells and should stop the spread of coronavirus in the body,” the message reads.
According to Michael Dolsten, Chief Scientific Officer and President, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical of Pfizer, tackling the COVID-19 pandemic requires both prevention via vaccine and targeted treatment for those who contract the virus.
“Given the way that SARS-CoV-2 is mutating and the continued global impact of COVID-19, it appears likely that it will be critical to have access to therapeutic options both now and beyond the pandemic,” Michael Dolsten said.
According to him, in case of successful trials, the drug can be used before hospitalization - at the first signs of infection.