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Pfizer’s anti-corona pill is expected to protect against severe covid-19. When can we expect the new drug?
Anti-corona pill, or PF-07321332: that’s the name of the new drug that aims to prevent severe covid disease courses. The U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer has already developed a vaccine with the German manufacturer Biontech. According to Pfizer, the new antiviral agent will now be given to Corona-infected patients in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Just recently, Biontech CEO Ugur Şahin spoke of a vaccine for children. Together with the anti-corona pill, this is an important step in curbing the further spread of the coronavirus, according to company sources.
“We have developed PF-07321332 as a potential oral therapy that can be prescribed in the early stages of infection without requiring patients to be hospitalized or in an intensive care unit,” the pharmaceutical company Pfizer says.
Anti-corona pill from Pfizer – How far has it been researched?
According to information from Pfizer, the active ingredient showed strong efficacy against the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus in laboratory studies, and the drug is now in Phase I clinical trials. In this trial, healthy adults in the USA are being tested to determine how well the drug is tolerated and how safe it is. In parallel, a control group is receiving placebos. Study results from the first phase will be published at the end of May, according to Pfizer.
The drug will then be tested in the Phase II clinical trial in Covid-19-infected patients. If the second phase is successful, a global third phase will follow. Completion of the Phase III trial will provide precise information about the drug’s tolerability and whether it could be ready for the market, hamburg24.de reports.
What is the anti-corona pill?
It is an antiviral drug, which is to be taken orally. The active ingredient – provisionally called PF-07321332 – is a kind of inhibitor that can stop viruses from multiplying in the body. The drug belongs to a group of drugs called protease inhibitors. These are already used to treat diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C.
Vaccine manufacturer Pfizer: When will the anti-Corona pill be available?
According to the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, the anti-Corona pill should be available in the fall of 2021. Before that, however, it still has to overcome the hurdles of a second and an extensive third clinical phase. At the same time, Pfizer is developing the active ingredient PF-07304814, which can be administered intravenously to Corona-infected patients in hospitals. Unlike the anti-Corona pill, this agent will be given to patients with severe disease. There is no indication yet of when this drug might be available.
sources: hamburg24.de, vienna.at/picture: pixabay.com
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