An extraordinary experiment is taking place in two anonymous Pfizer buildings, one in the US and one in Belgium. Up to 60 volunteers, all healthy adults, aged 18 to 60, are taking the first pill specifically designed to stop SARS-CoV-2.
If the test is successful, it is likely that a home remedy for Covid-19 will be available later this year. The molecule being tested is an antiviral codenamed PF 07321332. Classified as a "protease inhibitor", it is formulated to attack the "backbone" of the SARS-Cov-2 virus and stop it from developing in the nose, throat and lungs.
Pfizer is keeping quiet about the details of the laboratory tests it has completed, but says it has confirmed "potent in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2" as well as activity against other coronaviruses.
"We have designed PF-07321332 as a potential oral therapy that can be used at the first sign of infection, without requiring patients to be hospitalized or in critical care," said Mikael Dolsten, chief scientific officer at Pfizer.
To date, the drug has not been administered to humans. The safety of the drug has been studied in animals and no significant risks have been observed.
Launching a new drug on the market is a long and difficult process, and even if PF-07321332 is found to be well tolerated by humans, official Phase 3 trials will need to be followed to determine if the drug works against exposed people. to SARS-CoV-2.
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Source: Telegraph
