Pfizer has announced the creation of a revolutionary drug for Covid-19
Pfizer (PFE), the creator of the most popular Western coronavirus vaccine, has announced the development of a cure for Covid-19, potentially bringing a revolution in the tactics of fighting the pandemic.
The experimental drug PF-07321332, which directly affects the ability of the virus to reproduce, has shown in clinical studies an 89% effectiveness in reducing mortality and hospitalizations, the company said on Friday.
Of 1,412 people with positive PCR for Covid-19 when tested by a blind placebo-controlled method, 607 received the drug. None of them died, and only six ended up in the hospital. In the placebo group of 612 people, 10 deaths and 41 cases of hospitalization were recorded. In addition to the directly active drug, the study participants received a low dose of ritonavir, a drug used to treat HIV-infected people.
Pfizer explained this by saying that ritonavir slows down the destruction of the active molecule of their drug due to natural human metabolism. “The very high efficiency came as a surprise even to us and exceeded our wildest expectations,” Pfizer CEO Albert Burla told CNBC. “I think this medicine will change the situation and save millions and millions of lives. He has the potential for this,” the top manager said, adding that at the moment, the company has 500 million ready-made tablets, which is equivalent to a course of treatment for 50 million people.
The “moderate” side effects registered under the brand name PAXLOVID turned out to be the same as in the placebo group – 19% versus 21%, Pfizer claims in the release.
Were fewer serious “side effects” and cases when the study had to ;
be stopped due to undesirable effects, taking “pacifiers” – 1.7% and 2.1% versus 6.7% and 4.1%.
The drug is expected to be available to Americans by the end of this year. PF-07321332 belongs to the class of protease inhibitors.
It slows down the enzyme that the virus needs to replicate inside a human cell. In early October, the American Merck announced the creation of a cure for Covid-19, but the effectiveness of its pill was 50%. Moreover, 7.3% of those who took the drug were hospitalized or died. In the placebo group, there were 14.1% of them.
On November 5, the British Medicines Regulatory Agency approved the use of Merck’s Molnupiravir for mild to moderate Covid-19 and the presence of at least one risk factor.
