Last week, we discussed Merck & Co.’s pill intended to treat coronaviruses. Well, according to a recent article from The Hill, Pfizer has one now too. The treatment is a protease inhibitory similar to those used to treat HIV and hepatitis C. It binds to the viral enzyme and prevents it from replicating in the cell. Pfizer has begun preclinical studies, which have demonstrated “potent in vitro anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2, as well as activity against other coronaviruses.”
Mikeal Dolsten, Pfizer’s chief scientific officer, said that the oral therapy could be prescribed at the first sign of infection, eliminating the need for hospitalization or critical care. The company is also working on an intravenous antiviral therapy to treat COVID-19.
