Researchers point to a host-directed Covid-19 antiviral that could be combined with existing pandemic treatments
As Covid-19 mutates once again, leading to the newly halted use of GSK/Vir’s monoclonal antibody treatment, researchers are looking for ways to attack SARS-CoV-2 through a different route so therapeutics don’t fail against emerging variants.
The three antivirals currently OK’d or emergency nodded for Covid-19 — Gilead’s Veklury, Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s molnupiravir — are direct-acting ones, inhibiting a key part of the virus. So far, they’ve maintained efficacy against every variant of concern, but researchers have warned that as any enter wider use, resistance could become a concern.
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