Pfizer Tests COVID-19 Pills In Human: They Will Not Become An Alternative To The Vaccine

Pfizer's development is so far one of the first oral antiviral drugs created specifically

to fight coronavirus. The drug, named PF-07321332, belongs to a class of antiviral agents called protease inhibitors.

Protease is an enzyme critical to viral replication mechanisms. Protease inhibitors have already been developed for the treatment of HIV / AIDS and hepatitis C.

"Protease inhibitors such as PF-07321332,are designed to block the activity of a key protease enzyme that the coronavirus needs to replicate, ”Pfizer explains in a recent statement. "Co-administration with a low dose of ritonavir will help slow the metabolism or breakdown of PF-07321332 so that it stays in the body for longer periods of time at higher concentrations, thereby working continuously to help fight the virus."

To date, two double blind men passPlacebo-controlled clinical trials in which PF-07321332 and ritonavir are used in oral combination. Over the next few months, 3,000 people will be recruited to continue testing.

At the end of August, Pfizer also began studyingthe effect of the drug on patients at high risk of severe cases of COVID-19. Researchers will determine whether PF-07321332 reduces the duration and severity of COVID-19 symptoms in healthy adults. This trial is planned to enroll 1,140 people.

According to the company, the treatment of coronavirus inhome use of tablets should be started within three days after the first symptoms of COVID-19 appear. Therapy involves taking tablets every 12 hours for five days.

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