NewsUncategorizedWorld WORLD – Pfizer begins study of oral drug for prevention of COVID-19 by Barbados Today 27/09/2021 written by Barbados Today Updated by Asminnie Moonsammy 27/09/2021 1 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 358 Source: Reuters – Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) said on Monday it has started a large study testing its investigational oral antiviral drug for the prevention of COVID-19 infection among those who have been exposed to the virus. The drugmaker and its rivals, including U.S.-based Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N) and Swiss pharmaceutical Roche Holding AG (ROG.S), have been racing to develop an easy-to-administer antiviral pill for COVID-19. The mid-to-late-stage study will test Pfizer’s drug, PF-07321332, in up to 2,660 healthy adult participants aged 18 and older who live in the same household as an individual with a confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 infection. In the trial, PF-07321332, designed to block the activity of a key enzyme needed for the coronavirus to multiply, will be administered along with a low dose of ritonavir, an older medication widely used in combination treatments for HIV infection. To date, Gilead Sciences Inc’s intravenous drug remdesivir is the only approved antiviral treatment for COVID-19 in the United States. Pfizer has also started another study of PF-07321332 in non-hospitalized, symptomatic adult patients. You Might Be Interested In #YEARINREVIEW – Mia mania Shoring up good ideas I resolve to… Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics recently launched a late-stage trial of their experimental drug molnupiravir for prevention of the COVID-19 infection. Molnupiravir is also being studied in a late-stage trial in non-hospitalized patients to see if it reduces the risk of hospitalization or death. Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like Trump administration weighs adding 36 countries to travel ban 15/06/2025 Manhunt underway after US lawmaker and spouse killed, another couple injured 14/06/2025 Air India plane bound for London crashes with more than 240 on... 12/06/2025