Data from 6 preclinical studies showing that molnupiravir, an oral antiviral for Covid-19, is also active in vitro against the Omicron variant of the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus. This was announced by MSD and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, which co-develop the anti-Covid pill already authorized for use in over 10 countries including the US, UK and Japan.
The in vitro studies – explains a note – were conducted independently by researchers from institutions residing in 6 countries including Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and the United States. They were performed on well-established cell cultures to evaluate the antiviral activity of molnupiravir and other anti-Covid antiviral agents against Sars-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron. Molnupiravir has yet to be studied against Omicron in clinical trials, the companies say.
“These findings from various independent in vitro studies – says Dean Y. Li, president of Merck Research Laboratories – have shown that molnupiravir has viral activity against Omicron, the prevailing variant that is circulating globally, and provide further evidence of the potential for molnupiravir as an important treatment option for adults with mild to moderate Covid-19 who are at high risk for severe disease progression. We are grateful to these researchers for this important evidence, and to all of our colleagues who are working with global regulatory authorities to ensure that molnupiravir is widely and promptly accessible to appropriate patients. ” Says Wendy Holman, CEO of Ridgeback: “Based on its mechanism of action, and following this new evidence demonstrating in vitro activity on multiple variants, including Omicron, we expect molnupiravir to continue to be active against the variants of greatest concern. and represents an important tool in the fight against Covid-19. We are grateful for the efforts of the researchers and look forward to continuing our work to help combat the pandemic. ”
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