Oral molnupiravir phase II-a of Covid RCT by Merck

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Molnupiravir has shown promising preliminary results in a Phase IIa trial for treating COVID-19, although the data has not yet undergone peer review. The study involved 202 non-hospitalized adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, focusing on the reduction of time to viral negativity through RT-PCR analysis of nasopharyngeal swabs. Among the 182 participants with evaluable samples, 42% had detectable virus at baseline. Additional Phase II and II/III studies are currently in progress. If successful, Molnupiravir could provide a much-needed oral antiviral option for early COVID-19 treatment.
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TL;DR Summary
Oral molnupiravir showed positive results in clearing virus times Covid patients enrolled in a double blind RCT by Merck
News release
https://www.thepharmaletter.com/art...iia-trial-results-of-molnupiravir-in-covid-19

Molnupiravir has passed part of a phase II-a study. Caveat: this is preliminary, not peer reviewed data.

Study design
This multicenter US Phase IIa study enrolled 202 non-hospitalized adults who had signs or symptoms of COVID-19 within seven days and confirmed active SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary efficacy objective was reduction in time to viral negativity measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of nasopharyngeal swabs. Periodic samples were collected for virologic analysis. Of the 182 participants with an evaluable nasopharyngeal swab, 42% (78/182) showed detectable levels of cultured virus at baseline. Other Phase II and Phase II/III studies are underway.

Earlier paper Feb 24 2021:
https://aac.asm.org/content/early/2021/02/24/AAC.02428-20.abstract

If we assume all goes well then there is potential for filling a much needed oral anti-viral medication for people with early Covid-19.
 
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