Sorrento Therapeutics (NSDQ:SRNE) revealed that its late-stage preclinical main protease inhibitor STI-1558 inhibited omicron virus entry and replication in cell-based assays. Prior research indicates that STI-1558 offers broad-spectrum activity against SARS-CoV-2. STI-1558 is distinct from Pfizer’s SARS-CoV-2 drug Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir), which pairs the SARS-CoV-2-3CL protease inhibitor PF-07321332 with ritonavir, which works as a pharmacokinetic enhancer.…
Pfizer to make COVID-19 pill available in low- and middle-income nations
In late October, Merck (NYSE:MRK) and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics agreed to make the COVID-19 antiviral molnupiravir available in the developing world. Now, Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) is taking a similar approach for its investigational antiviral cocktail Paxlovid, which contains PF-07321332 and ritonavir. Pfizer, like Merck, struck an agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) related to…
Merck finds molnupiravir cuts COVID-19 hospitalization rate in half
The oral antiviral molnupiravir from Merck (NYSE:MRK) and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics fared well in a planned interim analysis of the Phase 3 MOVe-OUT trial. If authorized by FDA, the pill would be the first oral antiviral for SARS-CoV-2 in the U.S. To date, all authorized or approved COVID-19 drugs require subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous administration. Merck…
Pfizer launches Phase 2/3 trial of COVID-19 oral antiviral cocktail
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) has announced the launch of the Phase 2/3 EPIC-PEP study to test its oral antiviral candidate PF-07321332 as a post-exposure prophylaxis against COVID-19. The EPIC-PEP study, whose name is an acronym of “Evaluation of Protease Inhibition for COVID-19 in Post-Exposure Prophylaxis,” will test the efficacy of PF-07321332 with low-dose ritonavir to prevent COVID-19…
Pfizer introduces oral SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor
An experimental oral antiviral from Pfizer that recently became the focus of a Phase 1 study was featured at the American Chemical Society Spring 2021 meeting. Known as PF-07321332, the compound is a protease inhibitor. It works by binding to a viral enzyme known as protease to block viral replication. Protease inhibitors are used to treat HIV/AIDS…
Pfizer launches trial for novel oral COVID-19 therapeutic
An experimental oral antiviral from Pfizer will be the focus of a Phase 1 study involving healthy adults. Known as PF-07321332, the drug has shown promise during in vitro studies against SARS-CoV-2. PF-07321332 belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors, which are commonly used to treat HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Protease inhibitors bind to…